Net Increase in U.S. Citrus Harvest

WASHINGTON - Oct 12/07 - SNS -- Citrus fruit production in the United States has managed a net increase over last year, with increases in orange and tangerine output more than offsetting declines in grapefruit and lemons, judging from the latest USDA crop estimates.

This season's grapefruit harvest is forecast at 1.49 million tons, 5% lower than 2006-07 but 21% higher than the 2005-06 final utilization of 1.23 million tons. Florida's grapefruit production is forecast at 25.0 million boxes (1.06 million tons), 8% below last season but up 30% from the 2005-06 hurricane-reduced final utilization of 19.3 million boxes (820,000 tons).

The white grapefruit forecast is 9.00 million boxes (383,000 tons), down 3% from 2006-07 but 38% above the 2005-06 final utilization. The colored grapefruit forecast, at 16.0 million boxes (680,000 tons), is 11% lower than last season but 25% above 2005-06 utilization.

Current fruit sizes were below the minimum of the last eight years and were projected to be the smallest at harvest since the 2001-02 season. Bearing white seedless tree numbers have declined by 7% from last season and tree numbers for colored grapefruit have dropped by 2%.

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