The U.S. Department of Agriculture in its April 10 Crop Production report forecast U.S. 2012-13 orange production at 8,597,000 tons (198 million boxes), down 82,000 tons, or 1%, from 8,679,000 tons forecast in March and down 405,000 tons, or 4%, from 9,002,000 tons in 2011-12.The U.S.D.A. forecast Florida orange production at 6,210,000 tons (138 million 90-lb boxes), down 1% from the March forecast of 6,255,000 tons and down 392,000 tons, or 6%, from 6,602,000 tons in 2011-12. The California crop was forecast at 2,320,000 tons (58 million 80-lb boxes), down 2% from the prior forecast and down 1% from 2,340,000 tons in 2011-12. Texas orange production was forecast at 67,000 tons, up 3% from the previous forecast and up 7,000 tons from 60,000 tons a year earlier.
Florida’s frozen concentrated orange juice yield was forecast at 1.61 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, unchanged from March but down 1% from last season’s final yield of 1.63 gallons, the U.S.D.A. said.
