U.S. Orange Crop Contracts

WASHINGTON - Apr 10/13 - SNS -- Orange production in the United States is now expected to total 8.60 million tons, down 1% from the previous forecast and down 4% from the revised 2011-2012 final utilization, according to the USDA.

The Florida all orange forecast, at 138 million boxes (6.21 million tons), is down 1% from the March forecast and down 6% from last season's revised final utilization. Early, midseason, and Navel varieties in Florida are forecast at 67.0 million boxes (3.02 million tons), unchanged from the March forecast but down 10% from last season. The Florida Valencia orange forecast, at 71.0 million boxes (3.20 million tons), is down 1% from the March forecast and down 2% from last season's revised final utilization. Drought conditions persisted in Florida during March.

The California all orange forecast is 58.0 million boxes (2.32 million tons), down 2% from the previous forecast and down 1% from last season's revised final utilization. The California Navel orange forecast is 45.5 million boxes (1.82 million tons), down 2% from the previous forecast but unchanged from last season.

The California Valencia orange forecast is 12.5 million boxes (500,000 tons), unchanged from the previous forecast but down 4% from last season's revised final utilization. Harvest of Navel oranges continued during March, while Valencia orange harvest began. The Texas all orange forecast, at 1.56 million boxes (67,000 tons), is up 3% from the previous forecast and up 10% from last season's final utilization.