Orange harvests expected to increase

 California expects this year's orange crop to be higher than the previous season.

Weather conditions were beneficial , especially during the spring bloom period. With the estimate based on the number of fruit on the trees (412 fruits / tree recorded this year, 336 fruits / tree on average over 5 years), the prognosis for total production is 83 million 40 - pound boxes of (18 kg).An increase of 9% this season compared to the previous season.

The lack of water in some areas has led producers to cut down trees . The cultivated area increased from 124,000 acres last season to 122,000 acres this season. The harvest should start in early October.

source : fresno bee com