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AVOCADOS
                                                         September 12, 2002

    Florida Agricultural Statistics Service   |  1222 Woodward Street
               |  Orlando, Florida 32803   |  407 / 648-6013
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FLORIDA: The forecast of avocados for certified shipments remains unchanged
at 1,050,000 bushels. This is 18 percent more than the 891,000 bushels
shipped in the previous season and the highest amount since before
Hurricane Andrew struck ten years ago.
  Estimated shipments through August total 545,200 bushels, more than any
other season to date. Maturity levels and sizes are advanced, possibly
because of above normal rainfall.
  Bearing acres (trees planted in 1998 and earlier) are estimated at 6,000
acres. This is only slightly more than last season's 5,900 acres.

CALIFORNIA: Shipments through September 3 total 7,300,000 bushel
equivalents, slightly less than last season. A smaller total crop is
expected, 7,515,000 bushel equivalents versus last season's 8,447,000
bushels.

         FLORIDA: Certified shipments of avocados, 2002-2003 season,
               with comparisons - Season: April 1 - March 31

         Season          Shipments       Remaining to       Total
                      through August      be shipped     shipments
                                       Bushels
        Certified:
         1992-93             274,700           9,300       284,000
         1993-94              27,000         148,000       175,000
         1994-95             233,500         545,500       779,000
         1995-96             243,900         500,100       744,000
         1996-97             286,700         631,300       918,000
         1997-98             425,900         512,100       938,000
         1998-99             356,300         534,700       891,000
         1999-00             368,400         474,600       843,000
         2000-01             459,100         545,900     1,005,000
         2001-02             423,800         467,200       891,000
        Estimated:
         2002-03             545,200         504,800     1,050,000


       CALIFORNIA: Estimated avocado shipments, 2001-02 season, with
              comparisons - Season: November 1 - October 31
                   
                2000-01 season              2001-02 season
        Variety                  Shipments    Remaining   Estimated
                    Total         through       to be       total
                  shipments     September 3   shipped     shipments
                                       Bushels 1/
        Fuerte       157,000       81,000           0       81,000
        Hass       7,737,000    6,755,000     125,000    6,880,000
        Other        553,000      464,000      90,000      554,000
        Total      8,447,000    7,300,000     215,000    7,515,000

        1/ Pounds converted to bushels at 50 pound equivalents.
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