USDA Lowers Grapefruit Forecast

WASHINGTON - May 11/07 - SNS -- Production of citrus fruit other than oranges is down from last month's USDA forecast on account of a smaller than expected grapefruit crop.

The USDA says this year's grapefruit harvest will likely each 1.57 million tons, down 3% from the April 1 forecast but 28% higher than last season's final utilization of 1.23 million tons.

Florida's grapefruit production is forecast at 27.0 million boxes (1.15 million tons), down 4% from last month but 40% above last season's hurricane-reduced final utilization of 19.3 million boxes (820,000 tons).

The all white grapefruit forecast is 9.50 million boxes (404,000 tons), down 5% from April but 46% above last season's final utilization. The colored grapefruit forecast, at 17.5 million boxes (744,000 tons), is down 3% from last month but 37% above last season's utilization.

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