The estimated size of the Florida citrus crop has been revised down once more, according to new figures released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Statistics Board.

A reduction of 4m boxes is now expected for the season, to 158m boxes from January's forecast of 162m boxes. The drop represents a 7 per cent fall on the 2007/08 season, but a 22 per cent increase on 2006/07.

Early-mid season Navel oranges are now pegged at 83m boxes, down from 84m in January, with the Valencia forecast lowered to 75m boxes from 78m boxes last month - a figure that could fall further as the affect of recent sub-zero temperatures becomes more apparent, the USDA said.

Grapefruit remained stable at 23m boxes, while all tangerines decreased to 4.6m boxes from an estimate of 4.9m boxes in January.