The U.S. all orange forecast for the 2007-08 season is 10.1 million tons, unchanged from the May 1 forecast but 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 unchanged from the previous forecast but 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), unchanged from the May 1 forecast but 27 percent above last season. 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 about 74 percent of the Valencia orange rows had been harvested. If the production forecast for all oranges is achieved, it will be the highest since 2003-04, prior to the two hurricane seasons. Arizona, California, and Texas orange production forecasts are carried forward from May 1.
Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield forecast for the 2007-08 season is 1.67 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, up 1 percent from both last month and last season and is a new record high. 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 increased from 1.76 gallons per box to 1.80 gallons per box, surpassing last season’s record final of 1.77 gallons per box. All yield projections include the assumption that the processing methods this season will be similar to those of the past several seasons.