California Orange Crop Slips

WASHINGTON - Sep 12/13 - SNS -- California Navel orange production for the 2013-2014 season is forecast at 1.76 million tons (44 million boxes), down 2% from last season, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Producers reported good growing conditions this year. The average fruit size is up while average fruit per tree is down when compared to previous seasons.

This initial forecast is based on an objective measurement survey conducted in California's Central Valley during July and August. Survey results also showed that harvest is expected to be earlier than the previous seasons.

Utilized Production of Oranges by Crop - States and United States: 2012-2013 and
Forecasted September 1, 2013
[The crop year begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with the completion of harvest the
following year. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              :     Utilized production boxes 1/      :  Utilized production ton equivalent
        Crop and State        :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              :     2012-2013     :     2013-2014     :     2012-2013     :     2013-2014
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              :      ------- 1,000 boxes ------               ------- 1,000 tons ------
Early, mid, and Navel 2/      :
California ...................:       45,000             44,000               1,800               1,760
Florida ......................:       67,100                                  3,020
Texas ........................:        1,505                                     64
                              :
United States ................:      113,605                                  4,884
                              :
Valencia                      :
California ...................:       12,500                                    500
Florida ......................:       66,300                                  2,984
Texas ........................:          289                                     12
                              :
United States ................:       79,089                                  3,496
                              :
All                           :
California ...................:       57,500                                  2,300
Florida ......................:      133,400                                  6,004
Texas ........................:        1,794                                     76
                              :
United States ................:      192,694                                  8,380
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1/ Net pounds per box: California-80, Florida-90, Texas-85.
2/ Navel and miscellaneous varieties in California. Early (including Navel) and midseason varieties in Florida
   and Texas. Small quantities of tangerines in Texas and Temples in Florida.