Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, and Tangelos Grown in Florida; Modifying Procedures and Establishing Regulations To Limit Shipments of Small Sizes of Red Seedless Grapefruit

This rule limits the volume of sizes 48 and 56 red seedless grapefruit entering the fresh market and changes procedures used for this purpose under the marketing order for oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos grown in Florida (order). The order is administered locally by the Citrus Administrative Committee (Committee). The procedural changes modify the way a handler's average week is determined by providing that if crop conditions limit shipments from any of the three prior seasons, a prior season or seasons can be used for the three-season average. The average week is used by the Committee in determining the handler shipment allotments. This rule also limits the volume of small sizes entering the fresh market for the first 22 weeks of the 2005-2006 season beginning September 19, 2005. This action is intended to make the regulation more responsive to industry needs and provide adequate supplies of small red seedless grapefruit without saturating all markets. It is expected to stabilize supplies and improve grower returns.