The United States all orange forecast for the 2012-2013 season is 8.79 million tons, down less than 1 percent from the previous forecast and down 3 percent from the 2011-2012 final utilization. The Florida all orange forecast, at 141 million boxes (6.35 million tons), is down 1 percent from the January forecast and down 4 percent from last season's final utilization. Early, midseason, and Navel varieties in Florida are forecast at 66.0 million boxes (2.97 million tons), unchanged from the January forecast but down 11 percent from last season. Droppage is the highest since the 1969-1970 season while size is below average. The Florida Valencia orange forecast, at 75.0 million boxes (3.38 million tons), is down 1 percent from the January forecast but up 4 percent from the 2011-2012 crop. California and Texas forecasts are carried forward from January.
Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield forecast for the 012-2013 season is 1.62 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, up 1 percent from the January forecast but down 1 percent from last season's final yield of 1.63 gallons per box. The early-midseason portion is projected at 1.49 gallons per box, down 3 percent from last season's yield of 1.53 gallons per box. The Valencia portion is projected at 1.73 gallons per box, 1 percent lower than last year's final yield of 1.75 gallons per box. All projections of yield assume the processing relationships this season will be similar to those of the past several seasons.This report was approved on February 8, 2013.
SOurce: USDA