Orange Production Down 5 Percent from December Forecast
The United States all orange forecast for the 2013-2014 season is 7.39 million tons, down 5 percent from the previous forecast and down 11 percent from the 2012-2013 final utilization. The Florida all orange forecast, at 115 million boxes (5.18 million tons), is down 5 percent from the previous forecast and down 14 percent from last season's final utilization. Early, midseason, and Navel varieties in Florida are forecast at 54.0 million boxes (2.43 million tons), down 4 percent from the previous forecast and down 20 percent from last season. Current droppage is projected to be the highest in a series dating back to the 1960-1961 season. The Florida Valencia orange forecast, at 61.0 million boxes (2.75 million tons), is down 6 percent from the previous forecast and down 8 percent from last season's final utilization.
Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield forecast for the 2013-2014 season is 1.61 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, unchanged from the December forecast but up 1 percent from last season's final yield of 1.59 gallons per box. The early-midseason portion is projected at 1.51 gallons per box, unchanged from last season's yield. The Valencia portion is projected at 1.71 gallons per box, up 1 percent from last year's final yield of 1.69 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