The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, projects the 2024–25 Valencia orange yield at 15 million cartons. In comparison, the previous season's final production was 18.6 million cartons. Each carton has a standardized weight of 40 pounds.
The CDFA noted a decline in bearing Valencia acreage to 25,000 acres for 2024–25, from 25,500 acres previously. The tree density remained constant at 124 trees per acre for both years. Survey insights revealed a fruit set of 552 per tree, signifying a 4.3% year-on-year increase and a 1.1% decrease relative to the five-year average of 558. The mean fruit diameter on March 1 was recorded at 2.39 inches, showing a 1.7% reduction from the prior year and a 2.8% decline from the five-year norm of 2.46 inches.
A total of 330 Valencia orange groves were randomly chosen for this survey, taking into account factors like acreage, county, variety, and planting year. Of these, 301 groves located in top-producing counties such as Tulare, Kern, San Diego, and Ventura were analyzed.
The Valencia Orange Objective Measurement Survey has been conducted consistently since its reinstatement in the 1999–00 season, except for a suspension during the 2006–07 season. Data from the 2024–25 survey, conducted from January 13 to February 8, informed the forecast, utilizing parameters like fruit set, diameter, trees per acre, and production metrics in its models.
Source: Citrus Industry
