WASHINGTON — In its initial report for the new season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecast U.S. 2012-13 orange production at 9,370,000 tons (215 million boxes), up 4% from 9,017,000 tons in 2011-12.
The U.S.D.A. forecast Florida orange production at 6,930,000 tons (154 million 90-lb boxes), up 5% from 6,597,000 tons in 2011-12. The California crop was forecast at 2,380,000 tons (59.5 million 80-lb boxes), up about 1% from 2,360,000 tons a year earlier.
Florida’s frozen concentrated orange juice yield was forecast at 1.61 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, down 1% from last season’s final yield of 1.63 gallons, the U.S.D.A. said.