No Change in 2008 Orange Forecast

WASHINGTON - Jun 10/08 - SNS -- Citrus fruit production in the United States is up slightly from earlier estimates on account of better than expected grapefruit and tangerine yields, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

The forecast of the 2007-08 U.S. grapefruit crop is 1.56 million tons, up 1% from the May 1 forecast but 4% lower than the previous season. Florida's grapefruit production is forecast at 26.5 million boxes (1.13 million tons), up 1% from the May forecast but 3% below last season.

The all white grapefruit forecast is 9.00 million boxes (383,000 tons), unchanged from May's forecast but 3% below last season's final utilization. Florida's colored grapefruit forecast, at 17.5 million boxes (744,000 tons), is up 1% from the May forecast but 2% below the 2006-07 final utilization. Arizona, California, and Texas forecasts are carried forward from May.

The U.S. tangerine crop is forecast at 467,000 tons, up 2% from the May forecast and 29% higher than the final utilization in 2006-07. Florida's tangerine crop is forecast at 5.50 million boxes (261,000 tons), an increase of 4% from May's forecast and 20% higher than the 2006-07 utilization of 4.60 million boxes. The later maturing Honey tangerine forecast increased from 2.70 million boxes to 2.90 million boxes, which equals the record crop of 2003-04. Arizona and California forecasts are carried forward from May.

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