Florida Citrus April forecast: maturity test results and fruit size
The 2017-2018 Florida all orange forecast released today by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 45.0 million boxes, unchanged from the March forecast. The total includes of 19.0 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, midseason, and Navel varieties) and 26.0 million boxes of Valencia oranges.
All Oranges 45.0 Million Boxes
The 2017-2018 Florida all orange forecast released today by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 45.0 million boxes, unchanged from the March forecast. The total includes of 19.0 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, midseason, and Navel varieties) and 26.0 million boxes of Valencia oranges.
Non-Valencia Oranges 19.0 Million Boxes
The forecast of non-Valencia production is unchanged at 19.0 million boxes. The Row Count survey conducted March 27-28, 2018, showed 99 percent of the early-midseason rows are harvested. Estimated utilization for non-Valencia oranges to April 1, with an allocation for non-certified fruit, is 18.9 million boxes. The Navel forecast, included in the non-Valencia portion of the forecast, remains at 500 thousand boxes, 3 percent of the non-Valencia total.
Valencia Oranges 26.0 Million Boxes
The forecast of Valencia production is unchanged at 26.0 million boxes. Final fruit size is below average, requiring 236 pieces to fill a 90-pound box. Final droppage is above the maximum. The Row Count survey conducted March 27-28, 2018 showed 38 percent of the Valencia rows are harvested.
All Grapefruit 4.00 Million Boxes
The forecast of all grapefruit production is lowered 650 thousand boxes to 4.00 million boxes. The white grapefruit forecast is lowered 100 thousand boxes to 750 thousand boxes. The red grapefruit forecast is lowered 550 thousand boxes to 3.25 million boxes.
Estimated utilization to April 1, with an allocation for non-certified use, of white grapefruit is 715 thousand boxes and of red grapefruit is 3.22 million boxes. The Row Count survey conducted March 27-28, 2018, indicated 94 percent of the red grapefruit rows and 92 percent of the white grapefruit rows are harvested.
Tangerines and Tangelos 770 Thousand Boxes
The forecast for the tangerine and tangelo production is lowered 110 thousand boxes to 770 thousand boxes. If realized, this production level will be 52 percent less than last season’s production. This forecast number includes all certified tangerine and tangelo varieties…
Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov