October 19 2007, 11:38

Citrus fruit production is expected to increase in USA in 2007

According to USDA estimations, citrus fruits production is expected to increase in 2007. Despite of the declined production of grapefruits and lemons, the harvest of citrus fruits will grow due to the sharply increased production of tangerines and oranges.

The source informs, this year grapefruit harvest will reach 1.49 mln. tons; the harvest will decline 5% comparing to the previous season. The most dramatic decrease will be observed in colored grapefruit production; at the same time, white grapefruit production will decline just 3%.

At the same time, orange production will increase 29% up to 9.83 mln. tons. The harvest will increase 30% up to 7.56 mln. tons in Florida (around 168 mln. boxes). Valencia harvest will reach 3.92 mln. tons (87 mln. boxes); it will increase 37% comparing to the previous year. Despite of the sharply increased volumes of fruits harvested on one tree (+50-60%), the average size of an orange will be significantly smaller than in the previous season.

The growth of orange production in USA will influence world prices for orange concentrate, and also will change the average prices for oranges supplied on freshmarket. According to estimations done by the analysts CIS produce business periodical "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" weekly, the average prices for oranges, tangerines and lemons in Ukraine and Russia are 5-15% higher now than at the same period of time past year. The wholesale prices for these fruits are 50-60% higher than a year ago in Poland.