The USDA has released its initial production forecast for California’s 2011/12 navel orange season, predicting a crop of 88m (40lb/18kg) cartons.
That figure marks a decline on last year’s hefty crop, which was estimated at 93m cartons, possibly the largest on record.
The 2011/12 forecast is based on the results of the Navel Orange Objective Measurement Survey, which was conducted between 1 July and 2 September.
The survey data indicated a fruit set per tree of 318, down on the five-year average of 353. As of 1 September, average fruit diameter was low at 2.27 inches, but above the five-year average of 2.246 inches.
The USDA crop forecast comes in much higher than most estimates from figures within the industry. Those unofficial predictions put production in the order of 75-78m cartons.
