The most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Florida citrus forecast for the 2011/2012 season is slightly higher than previous forecasts. While orange production estimates are slightly higher than last month's, forecasts for the rest of the state's citrus crop remain unchanged from previous estimates.The current Florida all orange forecast for 2011/2012, which was released on Wednesday, is 146.5 million boxes. That's up 300,000 boxes from the previous estimate, which is a change of less than one percent. The slight rise is due to an increase in the amount of anticipated Valencia oranges to 72.3 million boxes. The non-Valencia orange forecast remains at 74.2 million boxes.
Forecast production for grapefruit and tangerines remain unchanged at 18.8 million boxes and 4.3 million boxes, respectively. Of the grapefruit forecast, white varieties make up 5.3 million boxes and colored varieties make up 13.5 million boxes. Tangerine estimates for early varieties like Fallglo and Sunburst are expected to be 2.35 million boxes and later Honey varieties are expected to be 1.95 million boxes. Tangelo production is forecast at 1.15 million boxes for the 2011/2012 season.