In its December orange crop forecast for the 2009-10 season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reduced its previous estimate by 1 million boxes to 135 million boxes, according to a news release.

"We have another quality Florida citrus crop this year," Michael W. Sparks, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Florida Citrus Mutual, said in the release. "The industry is facing many challenges, but once again Florida citrus growers show their resiliency with this crop."

The USDA maintained its prediction that 19.8 million boxes of grapefruit will be produced this season.

The forecast for early and midseason varieties in Florida remained at 69 million boxes, while the projection for valencias was decreased by 1 million boxes to 66 million boxes.

For Florida specialty fruit, the USDA predicts 1 million boxes of tangelos and 4.8 million boxes of tangerines will be harvested. The yield for frozen concentrated orange juice is expected to be 1.63 gallons per 90-pound box.

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