All Orange Estimate Inches Down

WASHINGTON - Feb 10/04 - SNS -- Production of all oranges was lowered 1% in the USDA's latest crop production estimate to 13.3 million tons for the 2003-04 crop.

Though down 1% from the January forecast, the number is 15% above last season's final utilization. Most of the decrease was in Florida, where the all orange forecast dropped to 246 million boxes (11.1 million tons), 2% below the January 1 forecast but 21% above the previous season.

The early and mid-season varieties forecast is lowered 4 million boxes to 128 million boxes (5.76 million tons), 3% lower than last month but 14% above last season. Results from the row count survey, combined with estimated utilization, indicated a reduction from the January forecast. The fruit size and droppage measurements, finalized in January, also support the reduction.

Harvest of Florida's Navel oranges, a component of the early-midseason varieties, has decreased as crystallization has been observed in the fruit. Crystallization causes the fruit to dry out from the top making it unusable for fresh shipments.

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