No Change in Orange Crop Forecast

WASHINGTON - May 9/08 - SNS -- Orange production in the United States is still forecast at 10.1 million tons for the 2007-08 season, unchanged from the April 1 forecast but 33% higher than the 2006-07 final utilization of 7.63 million tons, according to the USDA's latest crop report.

Florida's all orange forecast, at 169 million boxes (7.58 million tons), is unchanged from the previous forecast but 31% 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 April 1 forecast but 27% above last season.

Florida's Valencia forecast, at 85.0 million boxes (3.83 million tons), is unchanged from the last forecast but 34% higher than 2006-07. The monthly row count survey indicated that about 50% 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 April 1.

Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield forecast for the 2007-08 season is 1.65 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, up 1% from last month and unchanged from last season's final yield. 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.

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