Production
U.S. citrus production for the 2002-03 season decreased
six percent from 2001-02, but was11percent above the harvest of
1998-99 which was the lowest since the 1991-92 rebound season.
Florida accounted for 74 percent of the total U.S. citrus
production, California produced 23 percent, and Texas and
Arizona contributed the remaining three percent.
Florida's total production of 251.0 million boxes was
down almost 13 percent. Both Valencia orange production and
early-mid-Navel orange production were down, making the all
orange crop down 12 percent and the smallest since 1998-99. All
grapefruit production was down by 17 percent with colored being
down more at 19 percent. All varieties of specialty fruit were
down with the exception of tangelos, up 9 percent, and Honey
tangerines, up 11 percent. Estimates of K-Early Citrus and limes
were discontinued this season.
Bearing acreage is only down one percent to 718,100
acres with declines for every fruit type except Valencia oranges.
All orange bearing acreage edged up slightly while grapefruit is
down by six percent. All tangerine acreage is down 10 percent,
with the largest declines occurring in the early varieties. Later
maturing Valencias account for over one-half of the bearing
orange acreage. Bearing grapefruit acreage is composed of 40
percent white and 60 percent colored. Sunburst and Honey
tangerines each constitute over 40 percent of the bearing
tangerine acreage.
California increased utilized citrus production by 21
percent from the previous season. California's all orange
production, at 62 million boxes, is 20 percent higher than the
previous season. Grapefruit production, at 5.6 million boxes, is
down five percent from the 2001-02 season.
Utilized production of citrus in Texas is down six percent
from the 2001-02 season. Orange production decreased 10
percent from the previous season, and grapefruit production fell
four percent.
Arizona's total citrus production is down one percent
from last season. Utilized production of oranges is down 10
percent and grapefruit down 19 percent, while lemons are up
seven percent.
Value
The value of the 2002-03 U.S. citrus crop is down 12
percent from last season. Total value of production for 2002-03
is lower for all types of citrus in the U.S., except tangelos.
The Florida preliminary 2002-03 on-tree value of all citrus
of $815.9 million, down 16 percent from the revised value of
$966.8 million for the previous season, is the lowest since
1985-86. Both price per box and value are lower for oranges and
grapefruit. Price per box is up for Temples and early tangerines
but value is down for both. Although Honey tangerines' price per
box is down, overall value is higher. Lemons returned the highest
price per box since 1985.
Florida's value of production for oranges is down 16
percent, with the Valencia decrease slightly higher than for other
varieties . Grapefruit value is down 24 percent with the white
category decreasing more than the colored. The average value of
production is below the revised 2001-02 price per box for all
varieties except tangelos, Honey tangerines, and lemons.
Preliminary value is based on that part of the crop priced
at harvest, which accounts for all of the fresh fruit and about 40
percent of the processed. Nearly one-half of the processed
oranges were priced but the figure for processed grapefruit and
tangerines is about one-quarter of the total.
Foreign Exports
Fresh fruit exports totaled only 19.9 million 4/5 bushel
cartons, dropping below 22.0 million for the first time since the
freeze-affected 1989-90 season. Canada accounts for the most
receipts of Florida oranges and specialty fruit while Japan
receives the most grapefruit. More details are listed on page 39.
A total of 9.9 million gallons of FCOJ was exported,
mostly to Canada, and Florida exported 7.2 million gallons of
FCGJ. FCOJ exports total only one-third of last season's record
but FCGJ exports rebounded from last season's decrease.
Frozen Concentrate
The final FCOJ yields, reported by the Florida Citrus
Processors Association, were lower this season for all oranges
(1.53659), early-midseason fruit (1.49199), and late oranges
(1.60587). The final tangerine yield (FCTJ) was up slightly
(1.50047) while the grapefruit yield (FCGJ) declined to 1.21407.
For fruit going into concentrate, the price per box was
higher for all orange varieties and colored grapefruit. The price
per pound of solids was also higher for these varieties. Decreases
in the price per box and price per pound of solids for white
grapefruit outweighed the colored gains resulting in all grapefruit
price declines. Tangerine prices are not available.
Florida Citrus: Value of sales on-tree,
crop years 1992-93 through 2001-02 |
|
Crop year
|
Value
|
Crop year
|
Value
|
|
|
1,000 dollars
|
|
1,000 dollars |
|
1993-94 |
939,854
|
1998-99 |
1,097,253 |
|
1994-95 |
948,173
|
1999-00 |
1,108,523 |
|
1995-96 |
1,075,817
|
2000-01 |
862,031 |
|
1996-97 |
960,496
|
2001-02 1/ |
966,803 |
|
1997-98 |
1,023,383
|
2002-03 2/ |
815,917 |
1/ Revised.
2/ Preliminary. |
|
Priced Fruit: Season average delivered-in price for
fruit used in concentrate by variety |
|
Variety
|
Price per box
|
Price per pound
of solids
|
|
|
Dollars |
|
All oranges |
5.34 |
0.89 |
|
Early-midseason |
4.85 |
0.83 |
|
Valencia |
6.41 |
1.03 |
|
All grapefruit |
2.24 |
0.49 |
|
White |
2.39 |
0.53 |
|
Colored |
1.88 |
0.40 |
|
Tangerine |
NA |
NA |
|
SOURCE: Florida Citrus Processors Association |
Pricing Florida Citrus
Prices
All prices reported in this publication, except the
concentrate prices in the table on page one, are on-tree prices
representing the average price received by growers for their fruit.
The term "on-tree" relates to fruit returns to the grower after the
costs of picking, hauling, and packing have been removed. Prices
are based on records of commercial fresh fruit sales and
processed fruit returns.
Each season, beginning with the first month that at least
three percent of a fruit type is harvested, monthly estimates are
computed. Reports from fresh fruit sales organizations and from
packers provide data for an average freight-on board (f.o.b.)
price. Processors report an average spot and cash price for fruit
delivered to their plants. From these values, an estimated charge
for picking, hauling, and packing is deducted to arrive at an on-
tree price. The anticipated box utilization for the month is used
to combine the fresh and processing price to obtain an average
price for all methods of sales.
At the season's end, monthly price averages are computed
and weighted by boxes utilized, to provide the preliminary
season average price. A year later, after most processed products
are sold, cooperatives and firms with participation plans report
prices of fruit they handled. These prices, combined with the spot
and cash prices collected earlier, are weighted together by
varieties to determine the final processing price received bygrowers. From this price, charges for picking, hauling, and
packing, as estimated by University of Florida economists, are
deducted to arrive at the final on-tree price received by growers.
These preliminary figures for the season just ended, the revised
figures for the previous season, and county production by type
are released annually in late September.
Packout Rates
Fresh prices shown in this publication are for “pure fresh”
or 100% packout. Grading diverts a portion of the crop from
fresh use. Returns at processing plants for this diverted fruit will
generally be less than for field run fruit because of extra costs. In
order to compare fresh prices shown in this publication to the
individual grower's return it is necessary to calculate a derived
price for that crop. Below is an example and a blank table for
calculating fresh returns based on packout rates.
The example describes a delivery of 1,000 boxes with a
packout rate of 60% (0.60 in decimal format). At this rate, 600
boxes (1,000 X 0.60) are shipped fresh at a price of $9.50 per
1 3/5 bushel box equivalent. The remaining 400 boxes
(1,000 X 0.40) are eliminations hauled to a processing facility
and receive a price of $1.20. The grower receives $5,700.00 for
the fresh portion and $480.00 for the processed portion. Dividing
the total amount of $6,180.00 by the total of 1,000 boxes results
in a derived price of $6.18 per box.
|
Sample Calculation of Grower's Return |
|
|
Packout Rate |
Prorated
Boxes |
|
On-tree Price |
|
Amount
Received |
Derived
Price |
|
Percent |
Decimal |
|
Shipped
Fresh |
60
|
0
.60 |
600
|
X |
Fresh |
$9
.50 |
= |
$5,700
.00 |
|
|
Eliminations |
40
|
0
.40 |
400
|
X |
Processed |
$1
.20 |
= |
$480
.00 |
|
|
Delivered to
Packinghouse |
100
|
1
.00 |
1000
|
|
|
|
|
$6,180
.00 |
$6.18 |
|
Calculate Your Return |
|
|
Packout Rate |
Prorated
Boxes |
|
On-tree Price |
|
Amount
Received |
Derived
Price |
|
Percent |
Decimal |
|
Shipped
Fresh |
|
|
|
X |
Fresh |
|
= |
|
|
|
Eliminations |
|
|
|
X |
Processed |
|
= |
|
|
|
Delivered to
Packinghouse |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
2002-03 Florida Weather Highlights, Selected Areas, And Months
Year 2002 started with cold and dry conditions at the beginning
of January, with temperatures dipping twice below 30 degrees.
Overall, the cold weather was beneficial to the trees for the bloom
period. Early February brought some, but not adequate needed rain.
The East Coast was the most fortunate to receive 3 - 4 inches. In mid-
February, trees in all areas began to produce feathery new growth, with
pin head bloom buds. In late February, cool weather and an abundance
of much needed rain arrived, bringing 2 - 5 inches of precipitation in
most areas.
Cool weather continued in early March but temperatures in the
low 30s and high 20s were not cold for long enough to damage
unharvested fruit. More rain in early March brought on healthy blooms
in many areas, with virtually all trees showing new growth and
development. The remainder of the month was generally dry and some
growers irrigated to keep trees in good condition. Most groves had petal
drop with tiny new fruit showing all over the trees. Dry weather at the
end of March brought the year's bloom to a conclusion. April showers
allowed some growers to discontinue their irrigation. Late April was
dryer with warmer weather, reaching the low 90s in some areas.
Early May was mostly hot and dry. With only average precipitation in most areas, afternoon leaf curl and wilt occurred in many areas
not well irrigated. Late May, rainfall picked up with many areas
receiving significantly more than historical averages for the month.
June continued in the same pattern with numerous rain showers and
thunderstorms. Progress on fruit growth looked good as most trees had
dropped fruit they could not carry to harvest. Rains carried on into
mid -July and August, stimulating growth and producing healthy
looking trees with fruit looking healthy and sizing well. By the end of
August, most groves had sufficient surplus moisture. Trees of all ages
looked good and fruit was in very good condition.
In September, Tropical Storms Edouard and Hanna brought
significant amounts of rain to an already drenched state. The total
summer rainfall was far above average going into the new season.
October began with the first mild and dry week the state had seen in
four months. Moisture was adequate in most groves and temperatures
were near perfect for harvesting early fruit. Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs
were mostly full going into a much dryer time of year. Temperatures and moisture varied greatly in November, however most areas received adequate rainfall. Foliage on the majority of older trees began
turning dark green, while many of the younger trees showed little
growth. Overall, groves, trees, and fruit were in good condition.
The first week of December was mild and dry with still
adequate moisture levels in reserve for most areas. The middle weeks
of December brought well above average rainfall. Some hard pounding
rains and cold weather accompanied the new year. The upper part of the
citrus belt received 4 - 6 inches of new moisture. Temperatures the
second week of January dropped to the low 30s and upper 20s in some
citrus producing areas. Again, Florida avoided any major damage to its
citrus crop. The cold temperatures were somewhat beneficial in the fact
that they bought hardiness to the trees, preparing them for the winter.
The coldest spell of the winter came in late January. There was little
icing of the fruit, most of the early and mid oranges had been harvested,
and the remainder of the other trees were cold hardy enough to
withstand the temperatures.
February was primarily mild and warm for the entire month.
Rainfall was slightly below average throughout the citrus producing
counties. Groves and trees were in good condition for the bloom period.
In early March, some young Valencia and Navel orange trees showed
a lot of open bloom. Warm temperatures throughout the month assisted
in a large uniform bloom. Only one relatively mild cold snap would
occur in the remainder of the season.
April was hot and dry. Growers with well cared for groves
started irrigating to maintain trees to hold the next season's abundant
crop. Irrigation continued until the rains picked up in May. Most trees
remained in good condition, while some young trees produced a lot of
new growth. June started off with soaking rains in amounts well above
the historical average. Rain continued, producing a lot of new growth
on already healthy looking trees. In July, growers and caretakers began
focusing on the new season with hopes for another good year.
In the chart below, the 2002-03 monthly rainfall is compared to
the historical average which includes data from two stations in each of
the five citrus producing areas. The ten stations are: Avon Park (2 W),
Arcadia, Clermont (7 S), Clewiston (US Engineers), Immokalee
(3 NNW), Lake Alfred (Experiment Station), Orlando (WSO McCoy),
Plant City, Stuart (1 N), and Vero Beach (4 W).
