U.S. Orange Crop Estimate Lifted 1%

WASHINGTON - Jul 11/08 - SNS -- The U.S. all orange forecast for the 2007-08 season is 10.2 million tons, up 1% from the June 1 forecast and 34% higher than the 2006-07 final utilization of 7.63 million tons, according to the latest USDA crop report.

Florida's all orange forecast, at 170 million boxes (7.64 million tons), increased 1% from the previous forecast and is 32% higher than last season's final utilization of 129 million boxes. Early, midseason, and navel varieties in Florida is final at 83.5 million boxes (3.76 million tons), unchanged from the June 1 forecast but 27% above last season.

Florida's Valencia forecast, at 86.2 million boxes (3.88 million tons), is up 1% from the last forecast and 36% higher than 2006-07. The final row count survey indicated fewer than 5% of the Valencia orange rows remained to be harvested. If the production forecast for all oranges is realized, it will be the highest since 2003-04, prior to the two hurricane seasons.

Orange production in California is forecast at 65.5 million boxes, unchanged from the April 1 forecast but up 42% from last season. Navel harvest came to a close at the end of June with growers reporting good to excellent yields and fruit quality. Harvest demand shifted to Valencias and picking for domestic sales was on the rise. In Texas, orange production is forecast at 1.74 million boxes, down 3% from the previous forecast and 12% lower than the 2006-07 season. Arizona's all orange production is forecast at 380,000 boxes, up 9% from the April forecast and 27% higher than last season.

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