Orange Production Down 2 Percent from December Forecast
The United States all orange forecast for the 2012-2013 season is 8.83 million tons, down 2 percent from both the previous forecast and the 2011-2012 final utilization. The Florida all orange forecast, at 142 million boxes (6.39 million tons), is down 3 percent from both the December forecast and last season's final utilization. Early, midseason, and Navel varieties in Florida are forecast at 66.0 million boxes (2.97 million tons), down 1 percent from the December forecast and down 11 percent from last season. Projected droppage is the highest since the 1969-1970 season while size is projected to be below average. The Florida Valencia orange forecast, at 76.0 million boxes (3.42 million tons), is down 4 percent from the December forecast but up 5 percent from the 2011-2012 crop.
Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield forecast for the 2012-2013 season is 1.61 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, unchanged from the December forecast but down 1 percent from last season's final yield of 1.63 gallons per box. The early-midseason portion is projected at 1.50 gallons per box, down 2 percent from last season's yield of 1.53 gallons per box. The Valencia portion is projected at 1.71 gallons per box, 2 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.
Source: USDA