WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecast U.S. 2012-13 orange production at 8,834,000 tons (203 million boxes), down 2% from its December forecast of 9,010,000 tons (207 million boxes) and down 183,000 tons from 9,017,000 tons in 2011-12.
The U.S.D.A. forecast Florida orange production at 6,390,000 tons (142 million 90-lb boxes), down 3% from the December forecast of 6,570,000 tons (146 million 90-lb boxes) and down 207,000 tons from 6,597,000 tons in 2011-12. The California crop was forecast at 2,380,000 tons (59.5 million 80-lb boxes), unchanged from December but up about 1% from 2,360,000 tons a year earlier. Texas orange production was forecast at 64,000 tons, up 4,000 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 December but down 1% from last season’s final yield of 1.63 gallons, the U.S.D.A. said.
