The initial 2023–24 California navel orange forecast is 74 million cartons. This is up 1% from the previous year, the California Department of Food and Agriculture reported. The forecast is based on the results of the 2023–24 navel orange objective measurement survey, which was conducted from June 19 to Sept. 1, 2023.
Estimated fruit set per tree, fruit diameter, trees per acre, bearing acreage and oranges per box were used in the statistical models estimating production. This forecast includes production of conventional, organic and specialty navel oranges (including Cara Cara and Blood orange varieties). Survey data indicated a fruit set per tree of 335, down 5% from the previous year. The average Sept. 1 diameter was 2.177 inches, up 3% from last year. Bearing acreage is estimated at 110,000, which results in a yield of 673 cartons per acre.
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