Florida Citrus Crop Keeps Pace With Projection

The Florida all orange forecast is carries forward from October at 154 million boxes, 5% more than last season’s production. It is comprised of 74 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, midseason, Navel, and Temple varieties), and 80 million boxes of Valencia oranges. The Navel orange forecast is 2.2 million boxes, 3% of the non-Valencia total. All orange bearing trees are estimated to be 56.8 million, down 1% from the previous season.

The forecast of all grapefruit production is carried forward at 20.3 million boxes, 8% more than last season’s production. The total is comprised of 5.8 million boxes of white grapefruit and 14.5 million boxes of colored grapefruit. All grapefruit bearing trees are estimated to be 4.9 million, down 1% from last season.

The forecast of all tangerines is carried forward at 4.4 million boxes, 3% more than last season’s production. The total is comprised of 2.4 million boxes of the early varieties (Fallglo and Sunburst) and 2 million boxes of the later maturing Honey variety. All tangerine bearing trees are estimated to be 1.75 million, down 4% from last season.

The forecast of tangelos is carried forward at 1.2 million boxes, 4% more than last season’s production. Tangelo bearing trees are estimated to be 500,000, down 5% from last season.
High temperatures during October were in the mid-80s to low 90s. Rainfall was moderate across the citrus producing region for most of the month, ranging from one to two inches in some areas to none at all in others. The citrus growing region remains drought free.

The harvest season in October continued with the picking of Ambersweet, Navel, and Hamlin oranges; colored grapefruit; and Fallglo and Sunburst tangerines. Fruit being harvested is primarily for the fresh market. By the end of October, eight processing plants were open and 36 packinghouses were shipping fruit. According to the Citrus Administrative Committee’s Utilization Report No. 4, through November 4, 2012, less than 1% of the early and midseason oranges, 21% of the Navels, 8% of all grapefruit, and 33% of early tangerines have been certified.

The projection for frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) is carried over from October and remains at 1.61 gallons per box. Last season’s final yield for all oranges was 1.628480 gallons per box, as reported by the Florida Department of Citrus.

Click here for a more detailed look at the November forecast.