WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecast U.S. 2012-13 orange production at 9,010,000 tons (207 million boxes), down 4% from the initial forecast of 9,370,000 tons (215 million boxes) in October and down 7,000 tons from 9,017,000 tons in 2011-12.
The U.S.D.A. forecast Florida orange production at 6,570,000 tons (146 million 90-lb boxes), down 5% from the October forecast of 6,930,000 tons (154 million 90-lb boxes) and down 27,000 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 October but up about 1% from 2,360,000 tons a year earlier. Texas orange production was unchanged from October and from 2011-12 at 60,000 tons.
Florida’s frozen concentrated orange juice yield was forecast at 1.61 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, unchanged from October but down 1% from last season’s final yield of 1.63 gallons, the U.S.D.A. said.
