Citrus growers are expecting smaller crops

Growers of navel and valencia oranges, grapefruit, lemons and tangerines are all expecting smaller production numbers this year than their bumper crops in 2011. From the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service:

The latest survey, conducted during the last week of March and the first week of April, included the following commodities:

Navel Oranges -- The 2011-12 Navel orange forecast is 88.0 million cartons, unchanged from January, and an 8 percent decrease from last season. With more than half of the crop harvested, demand remained good as the 2011-12 navel orange harvest continued in California.

Valencia Oranges -- The 2011-12 Valencia orange forecast is 28.0 million cartons, unchanged from March, and down 3 percent from last season. Some early Valencia oranges were picked as the navel crop continued to dominate the domestic market. The harvest is expected to pick up in the coming months.

Grapefruit -- The 2011-12 California grapefruit forecast is 6.80 million cartons, up 3 percent from the January forecast, and down 21 percent from last season’s crop. Two different Asian citrus psyllids were found in the Ventura area at the beginning of the citrus harvest. Quarantine has been a big concern for citrus growers in that region. Weather has been favorable this year.

Lemons -- The 2011-12 lemon forecast is 39.0 million cartons, unchanged from the January forecast, and down 5 percent from last season. The California lemon harvest was completed in the desert region, while it continued in the San Joaquin Valley and along the southern coastal region.

Tangerines -- The 2011-12 tangerine forecast is 19.6 million cartons, down 5 percent from the January forecast and down 1 percent from last season. The Satsuma harvest was completed in January, while several other varieties were harvested including Fairchilds, Royal Mandarins, Dancy tangerines, and Minneolas. Two nights of frigid temperatures in mid-January across portions of California's Fresno and Madera counties caused some frost damage to the 2011-2012 mandarin crop. In early February, the Clementine harvest was winding down in Central California, while Shasta Gold mandarins were being harvested. Minneola tangelo harvest was completed in the Desert Region in early March. Harvest of Shasta Golds, Pixies, and Gold Nuggets continued in the San Joaquin Valley in March.

Fruit has good size, color, and flavor. Production forecasts are released on a monthly basis and do not reflect final production estimates. The next production forecast will be issued May 10, 2012.

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