Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida and Imported Grapefruit; Relaxation of the Minimum Size Requirement for Red Seedless Grapefruit

The Department of Agriculture (Department) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, the provisions of an interim final rule changing the regulations under the Florida citrus marketing order and the grapefruit import regulations. This rule continues to relax the minimum size requirement for Florida red seedless grapefruit and for red seedless grapefruit imported into the United States from size 48 (3\9/16\ inches diameter) to size 56 (3\5/16\ inches diameter). The Citrus Administrative Committee (Committee), the agency that locally administers the marketing order for oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos grown in Florida, unanimously recommended the change for Florida grapefruit. The change in the import regulation is required under section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. This change allows handlers and importers to ship size 56 red seedless grapefruit through November 12, 2000, and is expected to maximize grapefruit shipments to fresh market channels.