CITRUS
GROWERS ASK USDA TO BUY SURPLUS Florida
growers have asked USDA to buy 5 million gallons of grapefruit juice. A USDA official
told reporters Tuesday the request is under consideration and an economic analysis
is being conducted to determine whether the buy is appropriate. Indian River Citrus
League’s Doug Bournique and Nat Roberts had approached Secretary of Agriculture
Mike Johanns with the request at a recent meeting. Bournique said he was hopeful
that an announcement would be made in the next two weeks. The
surplus was created when more fruit than usual was processed into juice because
of the federal ban on shipping fresh fruit to other citrus-producing states.
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