The US department of agriculture (USDA) adjusted its citrus forecast last month in its latest update for the 2008-09 season.
The new figure has slightly reduced the total orange estimate by 400,000 boxes to 157.6 million boxes.
The early and mid-season orange crop accounted for the total reduction, with an estimate of 84.6m boxes, down 400,000 from the previously predicted 85m boxes.
The Valencia projection remained at 73m boxes for this season. Florida grapefruit maintained its prediction of 23m boxes.
The USDA makes its initial citrus forecast in October and revises it each month until the end of the season in July.
It is anticipated that the reduction will have a positive effect on grower returns.
No comments yet