Florida Citrus Crop Forecast Aims Low
November 8, 2013 USDA has issued its initial 2013-2014 Florida citrus crop forecast pegging the orange crop at 125 million boxes, down 6% from last season. Florida produced 133.6 million boxes of oranges during the 2012-2013 campaign.
The government agency estimated early-mid varieties at 58 million, down from 67.1 million at the end of last season, while the Valencia orange total is at 67 million boxes compared to 66.5 million in 2012-2013.
“The number shows HLB continues to affect our industry and growers are faced once again with a challenging season,” said Mike Sparks, executive VP/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. “The good news is that at this size crop, there should be upward pressure on prices.”
The USDA usually makes its initial estimate in October of each year and revises it monthly as the crop takes shape until the end of the season in July. However, the federal government shutdown delayed the estimate.
The estimate of the 2013-2014 Florida grapefruit crop is 17.8 million boxes down from 18.35 million. Specialty fruit checked in at 4.75 million boxes. The yield for frozen concentrate orange juice (FCOJ) was 1.60 gallons per 90-pound box.
Click here for the complete USDA estimate.
Sources: Florida Citrus Mutual; USDA
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