U.S. Orange Output Slips

WASHINGTON - Feb 8/08 - SNS -- Orange production in the United States is smaller than initially expected, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Total output this season is now estimated at 9.92 million tons, down 1% from the January 1 forecast but 31% higher than the 2006-07 final utilization of 7.59 million tons. Florida's all orange forecast, at 166 million boxes (7.47 million tons), is down 1% from the previous forecast but 29% 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 January 1 but 23% above last season. Harvest for the early and midseason varieties peaked in the third and fourth weeks of January.

Florida's Valencia forecast, at 85.0 million boxes (3.83 million tons), is 2% lower than the last forecast but 34% higher than 2006-07. Average fruit sizes for Valencia oranges are very small and are expected to be smaller at harvest than the minimum of the last eight non-hurricane seasons. Florida citrus regions experienced relatively warm weather during January, with average rainfall in the north and less than average rainfall in the central and southern areas.

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