As citrus producers on the east coast count the cost of hurricane season, west coast US producers are looking at a record Navel campaign.
As Floridian growers assess a crop that is likely to record its lowest volume level since the 1930s, demand for the fruit is bound to increase across the US. But there will also be some potential in the international market, where the devastation in Florida will create a large hole.
The California Agricultural Statistics Service is forecasting a 92 million carton navel crop, with a good range of sizes - which is a big jump on the previous growers’ estimate of 76m cartons.
Producers have voiced the opinion that the CASS prediction may be a little optimistic and that 25 per cent of the crop may be graded out because of external problems, but the figure of 92m is not too far off the mark as California Citrus Growers’ Association’s president Terry Stark said it “is projected closer to 85m cartons”, and said this would be a very manageable volume.
Picking has begun, around two weeks earlier than normal, but much fruit will be left on the trees for longer to ensure that it meets industry colour standards.
In the easy peeler game, there are no official estimates for the clementine crop, but growers are predicting the first "real significant year" for the industry and a marketable crop of around 20m cartons.
California is a relatively small grapefruit producer, with just 12,500 acres of the fruit planted last year, compared to the 82,300 acres in Florida. Opportunities will open up in this sub-category too though, particularly in the domestic market.
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