April 9 - The U.S. all orange forecast for the 2007-08 season is 10.1 million tons, up 1 percent from the March 1 forecast and 33 percent higher than the 2006-07 final utilization of 7.63 million tons. Florida's all orange forecast, at 169 million boxes (7.58 million tons), is up 1 percent from the previous forecast and 31 percent higher than last season's final utilization of 129 million boxes. Early, midseason, and navel varieties in Florida are forecast at 83.5 million boxes (3.76 million tons), up 2 percent from the March 1 forecast and 27 percent above last season. Weekly harvest of the early, midseason, and navel varieties has declined sharply, indicating harvest is near completion. Florida's Valencia forecast, at 85.0 million boxes (3.83 million tons), is unchanged from the last forecast but 34 percent higher than 2006-07. The monthly row count survey indicated that only 12 percent of the Valencia orange rows had been harvested. All orange varieties experienced a heavy bloom in March and trees were in excellent condition.
California’s all orange forecast is 65.5 million boxes (2.46 million tons), 2 percent above the previous forecast and
2 percent higher than last season. California’s navel orange utilization is forecast at 49.5 million boxes (1.86 million tons), up 3 percent from the previous forecast and 43 percent higher than 2006-07. The navel season got off to a good start with above average yields and good fruit color, maturity, and sugar content. The Valencia orange forecast in California is 16.0 million boxes (600,000 tons), unchanged from the previous forecast but 39 percent above last season. Valencia harvest began early with limited picking. The crop looked good with a heavier than average fruit set per tree. The Texas all orange forecast is 1.79 million boxes (76,000 tons), up slightly from the January 1 forecast but down 10 percent from 2006-07. Arizona’s all orange forecast is 350,000 boxes (13,000 tons), unchanged from January but 17 percent higher than last season.
Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield forecast for the 2007-08 season is 1.63 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, unchanged from last month, but down from last season’s final yield of 1.65 gallons per box. The early-mid portion is final at 1.55 gallons per box, down slightly from last season’s final of 1.56 gallons per box. The Valencia portion remains at 1.73 gallons per box, 2 percent lower than last season’s final of 1.77 gallons per box. All yield projections include the assumption that the processing relationships this season will be similar to those of the past several seasons.