The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released today its February orange crop forecast for the 2009-2010 season, reducing its earlier estimate by 6 million boxes to 129 million boxes.
“We are definitely seeing the effects of the prolonged freeze we experienced in January,” said Michael W. Sparks, executive VP/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. “As a whole the industry came through in decent shape; we did have frozen fruit and leaf damage across most of the growing regions and this report reflects that.”
“Despite the reduction, I still expect another quality Florida citrus crop.”
The USDA decreased its grapefruit estimate from 19.5 million boxes to 18.8 million.
The forecast for early and midseason varieties in Florida shrunk by 3 million to 66 million while the projection for Valencias also decreased by 3 million boxes to 63 million boxes this season. For Florida specialty fruit, the USDA’s tangelo estimate remained at 900,000 boxes, however the tangerine forecast was reduced by 700,000 boxes to 4 million. The yield for from frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) is expected to be 1.56 gallons per 90-pound box, down from 1.60.
The Florida citrus industry creates a $9 billion annual economic impact, employing nearly 76,000 people, and covering more than 576,000 acres. Founded in 1948 and currently representing nearly 8,000 grower members, Florida Citrus Mutual is the state’s largest citrus grower organization. For more information, visit www.flcitrusmutual.com.
