USDA’s 2011-12 Florida orange crop estimate increases
Visit www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Florida/Publications/Citrus/cpfp.htm for the complete USDA estimate. The USDA makes its initial forecast in October and then revises it monthly until the end of the season in July. During the 2010-2012 season, Florida produced 139 million boxes of oranges.
The 2011-2012 June increase was a result of an adjustment for utilization in valencias from 71 million to 72 million. Early and mid-season varieties remained at 74.2 million boxes. For Florida specialty fruit, the USDA predicts 1.15 million boxes of tangelos and 4.3 million boxes of tangerines. Those numbers are unchanged from May.
The yield for from concentrate orange juice (FCOJ) increased to 1.63 gallons per 90-pound box from the previous estimate of 1.61 gallons per box.
The USDA predicts Florida will harvest 18.8 million boxes of grapefruit in ’11-’12, showing no change from May’s estimate.
The Florida citrus industry creates a $9 billion annual economic impact, employing nearly 76,000 people, and covering about 550,000 acres. Founded in 1948 and currently representing nearly 8,000 grower members, Florida Citrus Mutual is the state’s largest citrus grower organization. For more information, visit www.flcitrusmutual.com. To receive winter weather updates follow FCM on Twitter.