California Expects Smaller Orange Crop

WASHINGTON - Sep 12/19 - SNS -- California Navel orange production for the 2019-2020 season is forecast at 1.52 million tons (38.0 million boxes), down 7% from last season, according to the latest USDA crop production estimates.

This initial forecast is based on an objective measurement survey conducted in California's Central Valley from mid-June to the beginning of September. The objective measurement survey indicated that fruit set was below last year but the average fruit size was above last year. Harvest is expected to begin in October.

Utilized Production of Oranges by Type - States and United States: 2018-2019 and
Forecasted September 1, 2019
[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]
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                            :   Utilized production boxes 1/    :Utilized production ton equivalent
       State and type       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
                            :    2018-2019    :    2019-2020    :    2018-2019    :    2019-2020
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                            :     ------ 1,000 boxes -----             ------ 1,000 tons -----
California, all ............:      49,800                              1,992
  Early, mid, and Navel 2/ .:      40,800           38,000             1,632             1,520
  Valencia .................:       9,000                                360
                            :
Florida, all ...............:      71,750                              3,229
  Early, mid, and Navel 2/ .:      30,400                              1,368
  Valencia .................:      41,350                              1,861
                            :
Texas ......................:       2,500                                106
  Early, mid, and Navel 2/ .:       2,210                                 94
  Valencia .................:         290                                 12
                            :
United States, all .........:     124,050                              5,327
  Early, mid, and Navel 2/ .:      73,410                              3,094
  Valencia .................:      50,640                              2,233
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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.