FLORIDA: The forecast of avocados for certified shipments is increased 50,000 bushels to 1,100,000 bushels. The initial forecast in August was 1,050,000 bushels. If realized, this will be 23 percent more than last season and the largest crop since the 1,111,000 bushels shipped in the 1991-92 season.

  Shipments through November are 1,028,900 bushels with weekly shipments beginning to decline seasonally. Maturity levelshave been advanced all season and summer variety shipments have been heavy with good demand reported.

  Bearing acres are estimated at 6,000 acres. This is slightly more than last season's 5,900 acres.

CALIFORNIA: Although total forecasted shipments for the 2002-03 season are more than last season, shipments for the first month of the marketing season are less.

FLORIDA: Estimated certified shipments of avocados, 2002-03 season, with comparisons - Season: April 1 - March 31
Season	Shipments through November	Remaining to be shipped	Total shipments
	Bushels
Certified:
1992-93	274,700	9,300	284,000
1993-94	123,000	52,000	175,000
1994-95	618,900	160,100	779,000
1995-96	633,400	110,600	744,000
1996-97	738,600	179,400	918,000
1997-98	860,400	77,600	938,000
1998-99	730,500	160,500	891,000
1999-00	801,900	41,100	843,000
2000-01	880,300	124,700	1,005,000
2001-02	798,500	92,500	891,000
Estimated:
2002-03	1,028,900	71,100	1,100,000

CALIFORNIA: Estimated avocado shipments, 2002-03 season, with comparisons - Season: November 1 - October 31
Variety	2001-02	2002-03 season
	Total shipments	Shipments through December 2	Remaining to be shipped	Estimated total shipments
	Bushels 1/
Fuerte	80,000	1,000	85,000	86,000
Hass	7,440,000	55,000	7,621,000	7,676,000
Other	480,000	7,000	543,000	550,000
Total	8,000,000	63,000	8,249,000	8,312,000
1/ Pounds converted to bushels at 50 pound equivalents.

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