The latest 2014-2015 Florida all orange forecast released by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 108 million boxes, unchanged from last month’s initial forecast. If the number holds, this forecast will be 3% more than last season’s production. The forecast consists of 52 million boxes of the non-Valencia oranges (early, midseason, Navel, and Temple varieties) and 56 million boxes of the Valencia oranges.
Non-Valencia Oranges
Current size is close to the minimum and projected to remain close to the minimum until harvest. Current droppage is above average, and is projected to be closer to the maximum at harvest.
The Navel forecast is unchanged at 1.5 million boxes. If realized, this output will be the lowest in the series, which began in 1979-1980.
Valencia Oranges
Current fruit size is slightly above the minimum and is projected to be above the minimum at harvest. Current droppage is close to the maximum and projected to be close to the maximum at harvest.
All Grapefruit
The forecast of all grapefruit production remains at 15 million boxes. The white grapefruit forecast is unchanged at 4 million boxes. The colored grapefruit forecast also remained at 11 million boxes. Current fruit size of white grapefruit is slightly above the minimum and droppage is above average. Current fruit size of colored grapefruit is also slightly above the minimum and droppage is above average.
FCOJ Yield
The projection for frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) remains at 1.60 gallons per box of 42° Brix concentrate. Last season’s final yield for all oranges was 1.569080 gallons per box, per Florida Department of Citrus.
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