The latest California Fruit and Nut Review Fruit from the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Sacramento, Calif., released Jan. 18.

Citrus – Jan. 1 forecast

Oranges

The California all orange forecast is 121 million cartons (2.42 million tons), unchanged from the October 1 forecast, but up 14 percent from 2009-2010, and up 39 percent from 2008-2009.

The Navel orange forecast is 93 million cartons (1.86 million tons), unchanged from the previous forecast, but up 17 percent from 2009-2010, and up 44 percent from 2008-2009.

The Valencia orange forecast is 28 million cartons (560,000 tons), unchanged from the previous forecast, but up 7 percent from 2009-2010 and up 24 percent from 2008-2009.  Wet weather and colder temperatures in December slowed the harvest.

Grapefruit

The California grapefruit forecast is 7.0 million cartons (140,000 tons), down 8 percent from the previous forecast, down 1 percent from 2009-2010, and down 13 percent from 2008-2009.

Lemons

California production is forecast at 42 million cartons (840,000 tons), up 8 percent from 2009-2010, unchanged from the previous forecast, and up 5 percent from 2008-2009.  Harvest of the new season crop continued in the Desert Region as well as the San Joaquin Valley (SJV).

Mandarins

The California tangerine and mandarin forecast is 19.2 million cartons (384,000 tons), down 4 percent from the October forecast, but up 4 percent from last season, and up 53 percent from 2008-2009.

December crop comments

Pruning and other maintenance continued in orchards and vineyards as conditions permitted due to ongoing wet weather. The fall grape harvest came to an end across California.

The olive harvest continued. Bareroot blueberry, raspberry, and boysenberry plants were shipped from Tulare County to in-state and out-of-state growers. Kiwifruit, as well as fruit and nut nursery plants, were transplanted in Sutter County.

Almond pruning and orchard removal were underway in the Central Valley. Orchard maintenance took place as field conditions allowed.

The SJV Navel orange, mandarin, grapefruit and lemon harvests continued at a slower pace due to wet conditions.  Lemon and pummelo harvests continued in the Desert Region.