Orange Production Down 3 Percent from December Forecast
The United States all orange forecast for the 2014-2015 season is 6.72 million tons, down 3 percent from the previous forecast and down 1 percent from the 2013-2014 final utilization. The Florida all orange forecast, at 103 million boxes (4.64 million tons), is down 5 percent from the previous forecast and 2 percent from last season's final utilization. Early, midseason, and Navel varieties in Florida are forecast at 48.0 million boxes (2.16 million tons), down 8 percent from the previous forecast and down 10 percent last season's final utilization. The Florida Valencia orange forecast, at 55.0 million boxes (2.48 million tons), is down 2 percent from previous forecast but up 7 percent from last season's final utilization.
Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield forecast for the 2014-2015 season is 1.59 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, down 1 percent from the December forecast but up 1 percent from last season's final yield of 1.57 gallons per box. The early-midseason portion is projected at 1.45 gallons per box, down 5 percent from last season's yield. The Valencia portion is projected at 1.72 gallons up 5 percent from last year's final yield of 1.64 gallons per box. All projections of yield assume the processing relationships this season will be similar to those of the past several seasons.
Source: USDA