The July Valencia orange forecast is 56.0 million cartons, unchanged from both April and last year. Picking of oranges is active throughout the State, although approximately one-half the crop has been harvested. Quality is above average. The 1996-97 California grapefruit production forecast is 18.4 million cartons, unchanged from the last forecast but 14 percent above last season. The 1996-97 harvest is about 75 percent completed.
Harvest is nearly complete in the desert area, but continues in areas farther north.
Fruit size is small this year, while color and taste qualities are excellent. Grades throughout the State have been fair to very good. Most lemons currently being packed are from the south coast as desert shippers have finished packing. Normal summer rains prevailed during the month providing adequate moisture in most areas, however heavier and more frequent thunderstorms are needed to help refill ponds, lakes and streams that were used and partially drained during the dry spring . The hot, wet and humid weather by mid June provided ideal conditions for most trees to produce an abundance of new growth on trees of all ages.