The initial 2014-15 Navel orange forecast is 81.0 million cartons. Of the total Navel orange forecast, 78.0 million cartons are estimated to be in the Central Valley. This forecast is based on the results of the 2014-15 Navel Orange Objective Measurement (O.M.) Survey, which was conducted from July 13 to September 2, 2014. Estimated fruit set per tree, fruit diameter, trees per acre, bearing acreage, and oranges per box were used in the statistical models estimating production.
The varieties forecast in this report include conventional, organic, and specialty Navel oranges (including Cara Cara and Blood orange varieties).
Survey data indicated a fruit set per tree of 333, above the five-year average of 328. The average September 1 diameter was low at 2.205, below the five-year average of 2.256.