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USDA Lowers Orange Crop Estimate For Florida

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By RUSSELL RAY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 12, 2009

For the second time this season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture lowered its orange crop estimate for Florida.

The agency expects Florida growers to harvest 162 million boxes of oranges during the 2008-09 season, down from its original forecast of 166 million boxes. The season runs from October through June. One box weighs about 90 pounds.

"This is a manageable crop, and hopefully the reduced production will spur higher prices to growers because right now they are facing very high input costs associated with disease pressure and fertilizer prices," said Michael W. Sparks, chief executive officer of Florida Citrus Mutual, a growers' organization. "We are in the middle of a very challenging season."

The decrease stems from lower-than-expected yields of navel oranges and early to midseason varieties, the USDA said.

Reporter Russell Ray can be reached at (813) 259-7870.

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