December 15, 2008

ISSUE 1248

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its December orange crop forecast for the 2008-2009 season Dec. 11, reducing its earlier estimate by 1 million boxes to 165 million boxes.

Click here 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.

The USDA maintained its prediction that 23 million boxes of grapefruit will be produced in ’08-’09.

A lower forecast for early and midseason varieties in Florida accounts for the estimate’s decrease. The early and midseason crop is now projected at 87 million boxes, down from 88 million boxes, and Valencias are projected to total 78 million boxes this season. Florida specialty fruit stayed the same; the USDA predicts 1.5 million boxes of tangelos and 4.9 million boxes of tangerines. The yield for from concentrate orange juice (FCOJ) is expected to be 1.58 gallons per 90-pound box, down from 1.59.

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