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Citrus forecast not harmed by freeze
United States
Tuesday 17 March 2009
Florida's overall orange crop estimate remained unchanged at 158 million boxes, despite freezing temperatures that swept through the state earlier this year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, however, reduced on Wednesday its forecast for the Valencia crop by two million boxes compared to February's estimate, about a three percent decrease. That will leave an estimated 73 million boxes of Florida-grown Valencia oranges this season. Each box weighs about 90 pounds.
More than 170 million boxes of oranges were harvested in Florida during the last growing season, which stretches from October to July.
Florida is the nation's largest orange producer and grows about three-quarters of the U.S. crop. About 90 percent of the state's fruit is used to make orange juice.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, however, reduced on Wednesday its forecast for the Valencia crop by two million boxes compared to February's estimate, about a three percent decrease. That will leave an estimated 73 million boxes of Florida-grown Valencia oranges this season. Each box weighs about 90 pounds.
More than 170 million boxes of oranges were harvested in Florida during the last growing season, which stretches from October to July.
Florida is the nation's largest orange producer and grows about three-quarters of the U.S. crop. About 90 percent of the state's fruit is used to make orange juice.
