CITRUS FRUIT 1/

ION
BOXES TON EQUIVALENT

CROP
AND UTILIZED NDICATED
STATE
1986-87
1,000 UNITS 2/ 1,000 UNITS
ORANGES, EARLY MID
& NAVEL 3/t
ARIZ : 650 600 950 25 23 36
CALIF 3 26,200 33,300 36,500 982 1,249 1,369
FLA : 55,000 64,200 67,000 2,475 2,889 3,015
TEX 4/: 0 200 500 0 9 21
eS : 81,850 98,300 104,950 3,482 4,170 4,441
ORANGES, VALENCIA
ARTZ 3 1,800 1,700 1,500 68 64 56
CALIF : 26,200 21,500 27,000 983 807 1,013
FLA : 48,900 54,800 57,000 2,201 2,466 2,565
TEX 4/: 0 110 400 0 5 7
US : 76,900 78,110 85,900 3,252 3,342 3,65
ALL ORANGES :
ARIZ 3 2,450 2,300 2,450 93 87 92
CALIF : 52,400 54,800 63,500 1,965 2,056 2,382
FLA : 103,900 119,000 124;000 4,676 5,355 5,580
TEX af: 0 310 900 0 14 38
US 158,750 176,410 190,850 6,734 7,512 8,092
TEMPLES
FLA 3,250 2,950 3,400 146 133 153
GRAPEFRUIT, WHITE
SEEDLESS :
FLA : 24,800 25,600 27,000 1,054 1,088 1,148
GRAPEFRUIT, COLORED:
SEEDLESS :
FLA 16,300 18,000 19,500 693 765 829
OTHER GRAPEFRUIT
FLA 2,900 3,150 3,000 123 134 128
ALL GRAPEFRUIT
ARIZ : 3,000 2,400 1,800 96 77 58
CALIF Sf:
DESERT : 3,800 3,600 3,600 121 115 115
OTHER AREAS: 5,000 4,800 168 16
TOTAL : 8,800 8,400 289 276
FLA : 44,000 46,750 49,500 1,870 1,987 2,105
TEX 4/: 0 220 2,000 0 9 80
us : $5,800 57,770 2,255 2,349
TANGERINES
ARIZ : 700 700 700 26 26 26
CALIF H 1,680 1,800 1,900 63 68 71
FLA : 1,050 1,150 1,300 50 55 62
Us : 3,430 3,650 3,900 139 149 159
LEMONS 3
ARIZ : 6,000 3,250 6,200 228 123 236
CALIF : 19,800 15,100 18,500 752 574 703
US 3 25,800 18,350 24,700 980 697 939
TANGELOS :
FLA 2,950 4,000 162 133 180

1/ THE CROP G 0 F THE FIRST YEAR SHOWN E

YEAR HARVEST IS COMPLETED. 2/ NET LBS PER BOX: ORANGES-CALIF & ARIZ-75,
FLA-90, TEX-85; GRAPEFRUIT-CALIF DESERT & ARIZ-64, CALIF OTHER-67, FLA-85,
TEX-80; LEMONS-76; TANGELOS & TEMPLES-90; TANGERINES~CALIF & ARIZ-75, FLA-95.
3/ NAVEL AND MISCELLANEOUS VARIETIES IN CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA. EARLY AND MID-
SEASON VARIETIES IN FLORIDA AND TEXAS, INCLUDING SMALL QUANTITIES OF TANGERINES
IN TEXAS. 4/ DUE TO THE SEVERE FREEZE OF DECEMBER 1983, NO COMMERCIAL
SUPPLIES WERE HARVESTED FOR 1984-85 TEXAS CITRUS CROPS. 5/ THE FIRST FORECAST
FOR CALIF GRAPEFRUIT “OTHER AREAS" WILL BE AS OF APR 1.

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1987 5 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS BOARD, NASS, USDA


TANGELOS: The Florida crop, excluding K-early citrus fruit, continues at 4.00
million boxes (163 thousand metric tons), unchanged from the
February 1 forecast but 36 percent above last season. Harvest as of March 1

was 98 percent complete.

FLORIDA CITRUS: Most of Florida's citrus groves had mild temperatures during

the month. There was adequate rainfall in February, which
precluded the need for irrigation. There was considerable bloom bud develop-
ment and new growth forming this month. Fruit drop was not excessive in any
area of the citrus belt. Harvest of early and mid-season oranges slowed from
more than six million boxes the first week of February to just two million
boxes the last week of the month as supplies were running low. Harvest of all
grapefruit increased throughout February due to available labor and favorable
maturity levels for processing. Movement of Dancy tangerines virtually ended
by midmonth as supplies were almost depleted. Tangelos were stil] moving at
reduced levels at month's end. Picking of Temples increased to nearly 500
thousand boxes for the week ending March 1. Caretakers are starting spring
fertilizations and general cultivation practices. Hedging and topping have
been reported in harvested groves so that the bearing surface will be reduced
prior to the bloom period.

PAPAYAS: Hawaii fresh papaya production is forecast at 3.70 million pounds

(1680 metric tons) in March. Increases to 4.70 and 4.80 million
pounds (2130 and 2180 metric tons) are anticipated in April and May, respec-
tively, followed by a decline in June to 4.60 million pounds (2090 metric
tons).

Fresh utilization in February is estimated at 3.60 million pounds (1630
metric tons), down 18 percent from the previous month and 9 percent below last
February. Production was lower than earlier expected due to cool, wet weather
which slowed fruit development and caused some disease problems, Area devoted
to papaya production totaled 3860 acres (1560 hectares) in February, down 1
percent from both January 1987 and February 1986. Area harvested in February
totaled 2465 acres (1000 hectares), an increase of 2 percent from January but
1 percent lower than February last year.

POTATOES: Winter potato production is forecast at 2.79 million cwt (126 thou-

sand metric tons), down 7 percent from last year but 4 percent above
1985. Harvest area is set at 11.9 thousand acres (4820 hectares), down 3 per-
cent from last year. Average yield is forecast at 234 cwt per acre, down 9 cwt

from 1986,

California harvest is well ahead of normal. Both market price and quality
of the crop are up from last year. Harvest in Florida is in full swing and
should peak in mid-March. Sizes and yields are good in the Southwest and Dade

County; poorer in the Southeast.

SPRING POTATOES: Planted area is set at 79.3 thousand acres (32.1 thousand

hectares), a gain of 2 percent from last year but 14 percent
below 1985. Harvest area is forecast at 76.7 thousand acres (31.0 thousand
hectares), up ] percent from last year but 12 percent below 1985.

Wet fields in the Hastings area of Florida caused extensive seed rot and
poor stands. Around 2 thousand acres planted to potatoes were abandoned.
Some replanting was done where seed was available. Cold, wet weather also
delayed potato planting in other southeastern States. As of March 1, less
than half of Alabama's potatoes were planted, slightly below normal progress.

North Carolina growers are just getting started in their water-soaked fields.

Planting was completed on schedule in Texas' Rio Grande Valley. Progress
is normal and harvest should be on time. Other Texas areas were slowed by
rain. California spring potatoes are in good shape, although some early fields
were frosted. Crop progress is up to 10 days ahead of normal in some areas.

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1987 8 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS BOARD, NASS, USDA


POTATOES

SEASONAL YIELD: PRODUCT ION

GROUP
a a tas
STATE : : : : IND

: 1986 : 1987 : 1985 : 1986 1987

1,000 ACRES CWT 1,000 CWT
WINTER H
CALIF > 5.7 4.8 5.1 4.8 290 285 1,404 1,479 1,368
FLA : 7.4 7.3 7.2 7.1 210 200 1,287 1,512 1,420

TOTAL 9: 12.5 12.1 12.3 11.9 243 234 2,691 2,991 2,788

SPRING 1/
ALA 4.9 5.0 4.7 4.9 145 848 682
ARIZ 2: 6.1 4.9 5.9 4.9 220 1,450 1,298
CALIF : 19.5 19.0 19.5 19.0 390 10,588 7,605
FLA :
HASTINGS : 25.0 27.0 24.5 25.0 280 6,370 6,860
OTHER : 1.0 2.0 9 1.9 190 273° 71
LA 1.6 5 a) 5 70 42 35
NC 213.9 13.9 13.7 13.7 150 2,310 2,055
TEX : 6.4 7.0 6.2 6.8 180 1,105 1,116

FRESH PRODUCTION

1986 : 1987  : FORECAST

1987
1,000 POUNDS

JAN 3,905 2,430 2,420 3,925 4,400

FEB 3,860 2,485 2,465 3,970 3,600

MAR 2,405 4,285 3,700
APR 23390 4,350 4,700
MAY

JUN

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1987 4 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS BOARD, NASS, USDA


FEBRUARY WEATHER SUMMARY

Average temperatures continued to be wel] above-normal in the central and
northern Great Plains and the warmer-than-normal area expanded to include the
area from the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachians, except for the Northeast.
Temperatures were near or slightly cooler than normal along the east coast and
over the western Plateau region. Some cold outbreak did occur in the northern
Plains and Great Lakes region but they were of short duration. Precipitation
was generally favorable for most of the Nation. Notable dry areas were from
the middle and upper Mississippi Valley to the Mid-Atlantic States and the
Northeast, the northern High Plains and the Northwest, and parts of the
Southwest and central Intermountain region of the West. Unusually cold air
flowed into the Southwest during the latter part of the month and brought
freezing temperatures to some of the southern valleys of California and
Arizona. (Prepared by NOAA/USDA Joint Agricultural Weather Facility.)

WINTER WHEAT

Winter wheat was mostly good to fair during February. Snow cover was
mostly nonexistent in the northern Rockies, central and northern Great Plains
and the southern Corn Belt. However, there was adequate snow protection at
critical times when temperatures dipped below freezing. Above-normal
temperatures were instrumental in keeping winter damage at a minimum,
especially in the central and northern Plains, the southern Corn Belt, and the
Rocky Mountain States. The warm temperatures encouraged growth but Tow soil
moisture limited growth in the central and northern Great Plains. Early in
the month, wheat showed signs of greening in Kansas and jointing in Texas. By
midmonth, wheat was greening as far north as Montana. Oklahoma's wheat
reached the jointing stage near the end of February. In the Southwest,
inadequate moisture slowed wheat growth during the first half of the month,

FEBRUARY FIELDWORK

Harvest of the 1986 cotton crop dragged into February. Wetness impeded
harvest during most of the month in Oklahoma and Texas. Harvest neared comple-
tion in both States as the month drew to a close. Land preparation for spring
planting progressed rapidly in the Southwest during the first half of February.
In Arizona, cotton planting was underway the third week of February. Wetness
hampered field activity in the Southeast during most of the month. The Vast
week of February, land preparation moved into the central Plains and as far
north as Iowa. Plowing was underway in. southern Utah. By the end of the
month, corn planting was underway in Arizona, Alabama, and Texas. Sorghum
planting reached 2 percent completion in Texas. Fruit tree pruning was active
throughout the Nation during February. In California and Texas, peach trees
bloomed around midmonth. Texas peach trees reached the bloom stage about two
weeks earlier than normal.

ORANGES: The U.S. a1? orange crop is forecast at 191 million boxes (7.34

million metric tons) for the 1986-87 season, down 3 percent from the
February 1 forecast but 8 percent above the 1985-86 season. Florida's all
orange crop is estimated at 124 million boxes, down 4 percent from the
February 1 estimate but 4 percent higher than last season's crop. Production
prospects for early and mid-season oranges in Florida are 67.0 million boxes,
down 7 percent from February 1 but 4 percent above 1985-86. Harvest of
Florida's early and mid-season oranges is 96 percent complete. The Valencia
crop in Florida is forecast at 57.0 million boxes, unchanged from the February
1 forecast but 4 percent higher than the 1985-86 season. Only about 1 percent
of Florida Valencias had been picked as of March 1.

Harvest of all U.S. oranges as of March 1 was about 45 percent complete
compared with 47 percent a year earlier.

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1987 6 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS BOARD, NASS, USDA


4 Agricultural United States
( ro bed Statistics Department of
Board Agriculture
HH National Agricultural Washington, D.C. 20250
ro u | Oo n Statistics Service

RELEASED: March 9, 1987
3:00 P.M. ET

HIGHLIGHTS

CITRUS production is forecast at 11.9 million tons (10.8 million metric tons),
10 percent higher than Jast season,

ORANGE production is forecast at 191 million boxes (7.34 million metric tons),
3 percent less than February 1 but 8 percent above the 1985-86 season.

GRAPEFRUIT production, excluding the California "Other Areas" crop, is forecast
at 56.9 million boxes (2.14 million metric tons), down 1 percent from
February 7? but 7 percent higher than last season.

LEMON production, at 24.7 million boxes (852 thousand metric tons),
is up 3 percent from February 1 and 35 percent higher than last season's
utilized production.

WINTER POTATO production is forecast at 2.79 million cwt (126 thousand metric
tons), down 7 percent from last year but 4 percent above 1985.

SPRING POTATO plantings are expected to total 79.3 thousand acres (32.1

thousand hectares), up 2 percent from last year but 14 percent below two
years ago.

KIKI RKIK KIKI IKI IR ISIS IIA III III IIA IIIA IIIA IAI IIIS III IIIS IAIN III III.

* NOTICE *
* *
* The next issue of this report will be published April 9, 1987 *
* *
* Requests for a subscription order form covering all available reports *
* should be directed to Agricultural Statistics Board Publications, Room *
* §829-South Building, USDA, Washington, D.C. 20250 (Phone (202) 447-4021).*
* *
* This report and other statistical, economic, marketing and news reports *
* are available as soon as possible following release through USDA's EDI *
* SERVICE. For more information, call or write: Russell Forte, (202) *
* 447-5505, OGPA, USDA, Washington, D.C. 20250. *

HAR KIIIKIK IIR III IR III IIIT I SIAR IKI III III IOI AIA IIR IIIA IAI IK,

CrPr 2-2 (3-87 For Information Call: (202) 447-2127


California all orange production, at 63.5 million boxes, is down 2 percent
from February 1 but is 16 percent higher than last season. The Navel orange
output is forecast at 36.5 million boxes, unchanged from February 1 and 10
percent higher than the 1985-86 harvest. As of March 1, 51 percent of
California's Navel crop had been harvested. California's Valencia orange crop
is forecast at 27.0 million boxes, down 4 percent from February 1 but up 26
percent from last season's crop. Picking of California Valencias has begun in
the Coachella Valley. The al? orange forecast for Arizona is expected to
total 2.45 million boxes, up 4 percent from February 1 and 7 percent above
Jast season's production. The Arizona harvest is 40 percent complete. The
forecast in Texas is 900 thousand boxes of all oranges. Harvest in Texas is
about 76 percent complete.

Changes in U.S. orange production between the March 7 forecast and final
production averaged 4.70 million boxes over the past ten seasons, ranging from
a low of 170 thousand boxes in 1980-81 to a high of 12.2 million boxes in
1981-82.

FLORIDA FROZEN CONCENTRATED JUICE YIELD: The 1986-87 yield projection of Fro-

zen Concentrated Orange Juice is 1.47
gallons per box at 42.0 degree Brix, compared with the February 1 projection of
1.46 gallons per box. This all orange yield computation is projected to the
final amount reported by the Florida Citrus Processors Association at the end
of the harvest season. The 1985-86 final season average yield was 1.37834
gallons per box. In 1984-85, the FCOJ final yield was 1.37582 gallons per box
which was affected by freezing weather.

GRAPEFRUIT: The 1986-87 grapefruit crop, excluding California "Other Areas"
grapefruit, is forecast at 56.9 million boxes (2.14 million metric
tons), down 1 percent from February 1 but 7 percent higher than last season.
Florida's forecast is 49.5 million boxes, down 1 percent from the February 1
forecast but 6 percent above last season. California's “Desert Valley" grape-
fruit production forecast remains at 3.60 million boxes, the same as last sea-
son. The forecast for Arizona's crop, at 1.80 million baxes, is 25 percent
below last season. The forecast in Texas is 2.00 million boxes, down 5 percent
from February 1 and compares with 220 thousand boxes harvested last season.

The grapefruit harvest was 63 percent complete on March 1, compared with
60 percent on the same date a year ago. Picking in Florida is 64 percent
complete, compared with 63 percent on March 7 last year. Harvest in Arizona
is 50 percent complete; California, 44 percent for the Desert Valley crop; and
Texas harvest is 82 percent complete.

LEMONS: The production forecast in Arizona and California is expected to total

24.7 million boxes (852 thousand metric tons), up 3 percent from the
February 1 forecast and 35 percent higher than last season's utilized produc-
tion. The California crop forecast remains at 18.5 million boxes, 23 percent
higher than the utilized crop of the 1985-86 season. In Arizona, the forecast
is 6.20 million boxes, nearly twice the quantity of last season's small uti-
lized crop. Harvest is about 96 percent complete in Arizona and 53 percent
complete in California.

TEMPLES: The Florida temple forecast, at 3.40 million boxes (139 thousand
metric tons), is down 6 percent from February 1 but is 15 percent
above last season. Harvest was 61 percent complete as of March 1.

TANGERINES: The U.S. forecast, at 3.90 million boxes (144 thousand metric

tons), is down 2 percent from February 1 but is 7 percent higher
than the 1985-86 crop. The Florida forecast is 1.30 million boxes, 13 percent
above last season. The California forecast, at 1.90 million boxes, is up 6
percent from last season. The Arizona forecast remains at 700 thousand boxes,
the same as 1985-86.

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1987 7 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS BOARD, NASS, USDA


UNITED STATES CROP SUMMARY
(DOMESTIC UNITS)
CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/

1,000 BOXES

ORANGES : 176,410 196,700 190,850
LEMONS : 18,350 24,000 24,700

1/ SEASON BEGINS WITH BLOOM OF THE FIRST YEAR SHOWN AND ENDS WITH THE
COMPLETION OF HARVEST THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

POTATOES

SEASONAL  j----------n2--c oe nn cee ee ene n eee n enone eee eee cence en eneceneneeee
GROUP:

WINTER : . 12.3 1.9
SPRING : : : 75.9 76.7

PRODUCTION

INDICATED 1987

WINTER
SPRING

2,764 2,788
APR 9

The CROP PRODUCTION report contains State and National estimates with
related information on selected agricultural commodities. These data were
prepared and adopted by the Agricultural Statistics Board which consists of
commodity statisticians from the field offices and Washington headquarters.

APPROVED: AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS BOARD:
Charlies E. Caudill, Chairperson,

; L. Duane Jewell, Secretary,
ares ae Rich D. Allen, John 0. Witzig,
2 eo ? Robert L. Addison, William L. Arends,

Arvin R. Budge, Ray S. Crickenberger,
Doyle C. Johnson.
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1987 2 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS BOARD, NASS, USDA


UNITED STATES CROP SUMMARY
(METRIC UNITS)
CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/

METRIC TONS

ORANGES : 6,814,770 7,573, 180
LEMONS : 632,310

1/_ SEASON BEGINS WITH BLOOM OF

7,340,940

THE FIRST YEAR SHOWN AND ENDS WITH THE
COMPLETION OF HARVEST THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

POTATOES

AREA HARVESTED
SEASONAL j--=----22---eennen ene n eee ene ene n nen en ene nce eenenee ene
GROUP: (1986 INDICATED 1987 1986 INDICATED 1987
HECTARES
WINTER : 5,060 4,900 4,980
SPRING : 313320 32,090 30,720
YIELD PER HECTARE =: +~=~=~~—~s»PRODUCTION.st—t~C~S*S
1986 INDICATED 1987 : 1986
METRIC TONS
WINTER : 27.24 26.24 135,670 125,370 126,460
SPRING : 29.27 APR 9 899,110 APR 9

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1987 3 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS BOARD, NASS, USDA