Decline in Mexico orange production

Mexican fresh orange production for the 2005/06 marketing year is expected to be around 10 percent lower than the previous year. Estimated put the total production at just under 4 million tonnes, with the decrease due to dry weather during the flowering season, and heavy rains caused by hurricanes in September and October. Exports of fresh oranges are expected to remain at the same levels as 2004/05, while juice concentrate exports are set to decrease due to the fall in production.