USDA Boosts Orange Crop Forecast

WASHINGTON - Jan 11/08 - SNS -- Orange production in the United States is now expected to be 2% bigger than thought last month at a forecast 10.0 million tons, 32% higher than the 2006-07 final utilization of 7.59 million tons, according to the USDA latest crop report.

Florida's all orange forecast, at 168 million boxes (7.56 million tons), is unchanged from the previous forecast but 30% higher than last season's final utilization of 129 million boxes. Early, midseason, and navel varieties in Florida are forecast at 81.0 million boxes (3.65 million tons), unchanged from December 1 but 23% above last season. Florida's Valencia forecast, at 87.0 million boxes (3.92 million tons), remains the same as the December 1 forecast but is 37% higher than 2006-07.

The all orange forecast in California, at 63.0 million boxes (2.36 million tons), is 9% higher than October's forecast and 40% above last season. The navel forecast is 48.0 million boxes (1.80 million tons), 12% above the October forecast and 41% higher than 2006-07's final utilization. California's Valencia orange forecast is 15.0 million boxes (563,000 tons), unchanged from the previous forecast but 36% above last season.

The Texas all orange forecast is 1.79 million boxes (76,000 tons), down 1% from October and 10% lower than last season. The early and midseason forecast is 1.40 million boxes (60,000 tons), down 3% from October and 13% less than 2006-07. Texas Valencia oranges are forecast at 385,000 boxes (16,000 tons), 10% higher than the December forecast and 1% above last season.

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