CALIFORNIA BUSINESS MINUTE
CA Citrus Crop
11-13-08
Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.
Citrus growers across the state have begun to pick this years crop. Due to recent rain the
crop had to remain on the trees until it dried as it is a requirement to pick citrus
Unfortunately, orange production in California this season could be down by as much as 32 percent
compared to last season, according to a forecast by the National Agricultural Statistics Service,
NASS. In fact the Service is reporting this is the lowest level on record.
Total orange production is forecast at 88 million cartons, equal to about 1.65 million tons, down 32
percent from 2007-2008 and 4 percent below the freeze-damaged 2006-07 crop.
Californias Central Valley is the main area for navel orange production in the United States. Navel
oranges are forecast at 64 million cartons (1.20 million tons), down 34 percent from last season
and down 7 percent from final 2006-07 utilization, NASS says.
The California Valencia forecast is 24 million cartons (450,000 tons), down 25 percent from last
season, but up 4 percent from the 2006-07 crop. Harvest of the 2007-2008 crop continues in many
locations. Growers expect a decrease in production for the 2008-2009 crop.
I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.
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