Citrus Fruit Output Up in 2006-07

WASHINGTON - Sep 20/07 - SNS -- Citrus utilized production for the 2006-07 season totaled 10.3 million tons, down 13% from the 2005-06 season and 42% lower than the record high production of 17.8 million tons for the 1997-98 season, according to the USDA.

Florida accounted for 70% of total U.S. citrus production, California totaled 25%, while Texas and Arizona produced the remaining 5%. Florida's orange production, at 129 million boxes, is down 13% from the previous season. Grapefruit utilization in Florida, at 27.2 million boxes, is up 41% from last season's utilization. Florida's total citrus utilization decreased 8% from the previous season and is 5% below the 2004-05 season. Bearing acreage, at 554,400 acres, is 22,000 acres below the 2005-06 season. This is the lowest bearing acreage since the 1989-90 season.

Utilized citrus production in California fell 27% from the 2005-06 season. California's all orange production, at 45.0 million boxes, is 26% lower than the previous season. Grapefruit production, at 4.00 million boxes, is down 33% from the 2005-06 season. Utilized production of citrus in Texas is up 33% from the 2005-06 season. Orange production is up 16% from the previous season and grapefruit production increased 37%. Arizona's total citrus production is down 35% from last season. Production of oranges and lemons are down 33 and 34%, respectively, while grapefruit utilized production is unchanged from the 2005-06 season.

The value of the 2006-07 U.S. citrus crop is up 8% from last season, to $2.95 billion (packinghouse-door equivalent). Total value of production for 2006-07 is higher for oranges, tangerines, and tangelos, and lower for grapefruit and lemons.

Orange value of production increased 15% from last season, while grapefruit value decreased 18%. Tangerine value of production increased 2% from last season. Lemon value of production decreased 2%. Tangelo value is up 20% from the previous season. Beginning with the 2006-07 season, Temple production and value is included in the early, midseason, and navel component of Florida's orange estimates.

Overall comparisons discussed above are based on like fruit types. The revised production and utilization estimates are based on all data available at the end of the marketing season, including information from marketing orders, shipments, and processor records. Allowances are made for recorded local utilization and home use. Estimates for the 2006-07 California Valencia oranges and grapefruit are preliminary, since the marketing season is not complete at publication time. Revisions to the utilized production estimates for all citrus for the 2006-07 season will be published in the April 2008 Crop Production.

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