U.S. Department of Agriculture projections estimate that this year's orange crop will likely be larger than last year's. That's mainly a result of anticipated higher production from Florida.According to the latest estimates from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, total national orange production for the 2012-2013 season is projected to reach almost 215 million boxes, a slight gain over last season's total of 207 million boxes. The slight increase is mostly due to a bump of 5 percent in Florida's orange production. Last year, Florida's harvest reached over 146 million boxes, while the upcoming season's production is anticipated to reach 154 million boxes.
Valencia oranges are expected to make up over 93 million boxes of the nation's total for the 2012-2013 season. At 80 million boxes, Florida is expected to make up the bulk of that total. Non-Valencia varieties are expected to reach over 121 million boxes. Though, at 74.0 million boxes, Florida is also expected to produce the majority of non-Valencia oranges, California, with over 46.5 million boxes, will be responsible for more than a third of the nation's non-Valencia oranges in 2012-2013.