USDA Lowers Orange Forecast

WASHINGTON - Apr 10/07 - SNS -- Orange production in the United States looks 1% lower than thought at a forecast 7.36 million tons for 2006-07, according to the latest USDA crop estimates, 18% below last season's final utilization of 9.00 million tons.

Florida's all orange forecast, at 131 million boxes (5.88 million tons), is down 1% from last month and 12% lower than the utilization from the 2005-06 season's crop. Early, midseason, and navel varieties in Florida are forecast at 65.7 million boxes (2.96 million tons), down 2% from the previous forecast and down 12% from last season's final utilization.

The row count survey conducted March 28-29 indicated that 1% of the early and midseason orange rows remained to be harvested. Navel harvest was complete. The forecast is reduced from last month based on current utilization data.

Florida's Valencia forecast is 65.0 million boxes (2.93 million tons), unchanged from the March forecast but down 11% from last season's final utilization. The row count survey showed that 21% of Valencia rows had been harvested.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here