Florida's Valencia crop is expected to be about 17 percent larger than last year. This increased production is likely to depress f.o.b. The true impact of El Nino, if any, on domestic orange production for the 1997-98 season will not be known until season's end. It is important to point out, however, that continuous rainfall and flooding have prevented the timely execution of some essential agronomic and harvesting operations. Fruits have also fallen off trees before they could be harvested.
Rains have limited quantity harvested.
As of February 22, most citrus groves in Florida were wet as a result of two or more days of hard rains. Field work has been stopped in several fields during rain-filled days, and new growth has already started to form on trees of all ages. Harvesting crews were trying to wind up early and midseason orange harvest between rain showers, and complete harvesting has been difficult in many cases. Severe storms caused flooding, strong winds and heavy rainfall in California. Several field activities were curtailed during February in many areas, especially in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys.