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2009-2010 Orange Estimate Decreases Slightly

Contact: Andrew Meadows at (863) 682-1111 or (cell)(863) 944-4924
For Immediate Release:

LAKELAND, Fla. (December 10, 2009) –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its December orange crop forecast for the 2009-2010 season, reducing its earlier estimate by 1 million boxes to 135 million boxes.

“We have another quality Florida citrus crop this year,” said Michael W. Sparks, executive VP/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. “The industry is facing many challenges but once again Florida citrus growers show their resiliency with this crop.”

Visit www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Florida/Publications/Citrus/cpfp.htm for the complete USDA estimate. The USDA makes its initial forecast in October and then revises it monthly until the end of the season in July.

The USDA maintained its prediction that 19.8 million boxes of grapefruit will be produced in ’09-’10.
The forecast for early and midseason varieties in Florida remained at 69 million boxes while the projection for Valencias was decreased by 1 million boxes to 66 million boxes this season. For Florida specialty fruit, the USDA predicts 1 million boxes of tangelos and 4.8 million boxes of tangerines. The yield for from frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) is expected to be 1.63 gallons per 90-pound box.

The Florida citrus industry creates a $9.3 billion annual economic impact, employing nearly 76,000 people, and covering more than 576,000 acres. Founded in 1948 and currently representing nearly 8,000 grower members, Florida Citrus Mutual is the state’s largest citrus grower organization. For more information, visit www.flcitrusmutual.com.