HDR1012000140061008961500VEGETABLES Vegetables National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released October 8, 1996, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Vegetables" call Dave Mueller at (202) 720-2157, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. For assistance with general agricultural statistics, information about NASS, its products or services, contact the NASS Information Hotline at 1-800-727-9540 or E-mail: NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV. Fresh Vegetables Harvested Acreage Down 3 Percent The prospective area for harvest of 13 selected fresh market vegetables during the fall quarter is forecast at 179,900 acres, down 3 percent from last year but up 3 percent from 1994. Acreage reductions for snap beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplant, escarole/endive, and tomatoes offset increased acreage of cabbage, carrots, sweet corn, head lettuce, and bell peppers. Area estimated for melon harvest is 16,700 acres, up 8 percent from last year. Cantaloup acreage is forecasted at 11,300 acres, up 14 percent from 1995. Honeydew acreage, estimated at 4,800 acres, was unchanged from last fall. Watermelon acreage is forecasted at 600 acres, down 100 acres from last year. Storage Onion Production down 3 Percent Summer storage onions (excluding California) should be harvested from 80,960 acres in 1996, down 2 percent from last year. Production is forecast at 34.1 million hundredweight, down 3 percent from last year and 4 percent less than in 1994. The California crop is expected from 31,000 acres, up 2 percent from last year and unchanged from 1994. Production, at 13.6 million hundredweight, was 8 percent greater than last year and 7 percent more than in 1994. Fresh Vegetables Harvested Acreage Down 3 Percent The prospective area for harvest of 13 selected fresh market vegetables during the fall quarter is forecast at 179,900 acres, down 3 percent from last year but up 3 percent from 1994. Acreage reductions for snap beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplant, escarole/endive, and tomatoes offset increased acreage of cabbage, carrots, sweet corn, head lettuce, and bell peppers. Area estimated for melon harvest is 16,700 acres, up 8 percent from last year. Cantaloup acreage is forecasted at 11,300 acres, up 14 percent from 1995. Honeydew acreage is estimated at 4,800 acres was unchanged from last fall. Watermelon acreage is forecasted at 600 acres, down 100 acres from last year. Snap Beans: Fall fresh market acreage for harvest is forecast at 18,600 acres, down 2 percent from the last year and 8 percent less than 1994. Favorable weather in Florida allowed harvest to begin in early October. Unfavorable weather discouraged producers from planting more acres in Maryland and New Jersey. Broccoli: California's acreage for fall harvest is estimated at 23,500 acres, down 4 percent from last year but 7 percent greater than in 1994. Recent cool temperatures were welcomed by producers after a very hot summer. Head sizes were near normal and of good quality. There were no unusual harvesting problems reported. Cabbage: Fresh market acreage for harvest is forecast at 7,700 acres, up 1 percent from last year and 22 percent greater than in 1994. In Florida, planting had progressed well with few weather problems reported. Favorable growing conditions benefited the crop in New Jersey. Although water shortages reduced acreage in the Texas Rio Grande Valley, producers increased acreage in other parts of the state. Cantaloup: Fall cantaloup acreage for harvest is estimated at 11,300 acres, up 14 percent from last year and up 43 percent from 1994. The crop in California was in good to excellent condition. Carrots: Acreage for fresh market harvest is forecast at 18,500 acres, a 6 percent increase from last year and 19 percent greater than 1994. The California crop was developing well with sufficient moisture for continued development. Cauliflower: Acreage for fall harvest in California is estimated at 10,300 acres, off 6 percent from last year but 3 percent above two years ago. In California, the crop was developing normally with no unusual problems. Celery: California's fall acreage for harvest is forecast at 6,900 acres, unchanged from 1995 but 8 percent less than two years ago. The quality of the crop was generally very good, but some color problems were reported. Sweet Corn: Fresh market acreage for harvest is estimated at 11,000 acres, up 12 percent from last year, and 28 percent more than in 1994. In Florida, mostly mild weather kept field work and plantings in the Zellwood and northern areas on schedule during July, August, and most of September. Growers delayed some field work during early September due to the threat of adverse weather caused by the hurricanes. The crop is in mostly good condition with some Zellwood fields knee to waist high by mid-September. East coast growers started limited planting during the last half of September. Southwestern, Everglades and Dade county producers scheduled planting of larger acreage for late September and early October. In California, the crop was in mostly good condition. Cucumbers: Acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 7,900 acres, a 22 percent decrease from last year and a 25 percent decline from 1994. Florida growers in northern and west central localities began planting during August. Producers along the southeastern coast started planting in early September. Southwestern growers commenced planting about mid-September. Several growers planted on plastic used for vegetables in prior quarters. Some growers are delaying planting until receiving funding and will begin planting in October. Drought conditions in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas prompted producers to reduce acreage. Eggplant: Fresh market acreage for fall harvest in Florida is forecast at 600 acres, down 400 acres from last year and 200 acres less than 1994. Planting began before the middle of August in the east coast area of Florida and continued at a steady pace. By late September the crop was in very good condition with the oldest fields showing blooms. Escarole/Endive: Fresh market acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 800 acres, down 400 acres from last year but the same as in 1994. Planting was well underway by mid-September in the Zellwood area of Florida. Planting in the Everglades was delayed by wet soils during the first half of September. The fall crop in New Jersey was reported as being in good condition. Honeydews: Fresh market acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 4,800 acres, unchanged from last year but 55 percent greater than 1994. Cooler weather in California in early September caused some mildew problems in some fields. Head Lettuce: Acreage for fall harvest is estimated at 37,900 acres, up 3 percent from last year and 14 percent larger than in 1994. Growers in California welcomed the recent cooler weather. Although head sizing was about average, and weight slightly below average, the overall quality looked good. In New Jersey, supply was short but the crop quality was good. Bell Peppers: Fall acreage for harvest is forecast at 11,800 acres, an 8 percent increase from 1995 and up 17 percent from 1994. Florida plantings were on schedule with drier than normal September conditions allowing some producers to plant acreage in September that normally were planted in October. Fruit began to set about mid-September in the oldest fields along the southeastern coast, and by late September in southwestern and west central localities. In Texas, some pepper acreage that was not planted in the Rio Grande Valley, was planted in the high plains region. Tomatoes: Fresh market acreage for fall harvest is estimated at 24,400 acres, down 16 percent from last year and 17 percent less than 1994. Dry weather in Florida allowed planting and pest control measures to proceed on schedule. Some growers were delaying planting until they received funding. The California crop was reported in good condition. Watermelons: Arizona acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 600 acres, down 100 acres from 1995. Harvest was active in the central part of the state. Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Season, and Crop, Major States, 1994-95 and Prospective Area 1996 (Domestic Units) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Season :----------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For Crop :-----------------------------------: Harvest : 1994 : 1995 1/ : 1996 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Acres : Winter : 196,100 175,000 184,900 : Spring : 364,750 340,400 343,200 : Summer : 463,850 459,050 465,400 : Fall : Snap Beans : 20,200 19,000 18,600 Broccoli 2/ : 22,000 24,500 23,500 Cabbage : 6,300 7,600 7,700 Carrots : 15,600 17,400 18,500 Cauliflower 2/ : 10,000 11,000 10,300 Celery 2/ : 7,500 6,900 6,900 Sweet Corn 1/ : 8,600 9,800 11,000 Cucumbers : 10,600 10,100 7,900 Eggplant : 800 1,000 600 Escarole/Endive 1/ 2/ : 800 1,200 800 Head Lettuce : 33,200 36,900 37,900 Bell Peppers 1/ 2/ : 10,100 10,900 11,800 Tomatoes 1/ : 29,300 28,900 24,400 : Total 13 Vegetables : 175,000 185,200 179,900 : Cantaloups : 7,900 9,900 11,300 Honeydew Melons : 3,100 4,800 4,800 Watermelons : 700 600 : Total Fall Crop : 186,000 200,600 196,600 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 1995 revised. 2/ Includes fresh market and processing. Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Season, and Crop, Major States, 1994-95 and Prospective Area 1996 (Metric Units) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Season :----------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For Crop :-----------------------------------: Harvest : 1994 : 1995 1/ : 1996 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Hectares : Winter : 79,370 70,810 74,830 : Spring : 147,620 137,740 138,880 : Summer : 187,720 185,770 188,340 : Fall : Snap Beans : 8,170 7,690 7,530 Broccoli 2/ : 8,900 9,910 9,510 Cabbage : 2,550 3,080 3,120 Carrots : 6,310 7,040 7,490 Cauliflower 2/ : 4,050 4,450 4,170 Celery 2/ : 3,040 2,790 2,790 Sweet Corn 1/ : 3,480 3,970 4,450 Cucumbers : 4,290 4,090 3,200 Eggplant : 320 400 240 Escarole/Endive 1/ 2/ : 320 490 320 Head Lettuce : 13,440 14,930 15,340 Bell Peppers 1/ 2/ : 4,090 4,410 4,780 Tomatoes 1/ : 11,860 11,700 9,870 : Total 13 Vegetables : 70,820 74,950 72,810 : Cantaloups : 3,200 4,010 4,570 Honeydew Melons : 1,250 1,940 1,940 Watermelons : 280 240 : Total Fall Crop : 75,270 81,180 79,560 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 1995 revised 2/ Includes fresh market and processing. Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Crop, State, and Total, Fall Season, 1994-95 and Prospective Area 1996 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Area : Crop : Usual :--------------------------------: Area for and : Harvest : Harvested : For : Harvest State : Period :---------------------: Harvest : 1996/1995 : : 1994 : 1995 1/ : 1996 : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : ----------- Acres ---------- Percent : : Snap Beans : : FL : Oct-Dec : 6,600 6,100 6,700 110 GA : Oct-Dec : 6,500 7,000 6,000 86 MD : Oct-Nov : 400 400 400 100 NJ : Aug-Oct : 3,100 2,800 2,600 93 SC : Oct-Dec : 700 400 600 150 VA : Sep-Oct : 2,900 2,300 2,300 100 Total : : 20,200 19,000 18,600 98 : : Broccoli 2/ : : CA : Oct-Dec : 22,000 24,500 23,500 96 : : Cabbage : : FL : Oct-Dec : 900 800 89 GA : Oct-Dec : 4,000 4,500 4,900 109 NJ : Sep-Dec : 1,200 1,000 1,100 110 TX : Aug-Nov : 1,100 1,200 900 75 Total : : 6,300 7,600 7,700 101 : : Cantaloups : : AZ : Oct-Dec : 5,100 7,100 8,200 115 CA : Oct-Dec : 2,800 2,800 3,100 111 Total : : 7,900 9,900 11,300 114 : : Carrots : : CA : Oct-Dec : 15,000 17,000 18,000 106 TX : Aug-Nov : 600 400 500 125 Total : : 15,600 17,400 18,500 106 : : Cauliflower 2/ : : CA : Oct-Dec : 10,000 11,000 10,300 94 : : Celery 2/ : : CA : Oct-Dec : 7,500 6,900 6,900 100 : : Sweet Corn : : CA : Oct-Dec : 2,800 3,500 3,300 94 FL 1/ : Sep-Dec : 5,800 6,300 7,700 122 Total : : 8,600 9,800 11,000 112 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnotes at end of table. --continued Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Crop, State, and Total, Fall Season, 1994-95 and Prospective Area 1996 (continued) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Area : Crop : Usual :--------------------------------: Area for and : Harvest : Harvested : For : Harvest State : Period :---------------------: Harvest : 1996/1995 : : 1994 : 1995 1/ : 1996 : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : ----------- Acres ---------- Percent : : Cucumbers : : FL : Sep-Dec : 5,000 4,500 3,500 78 SC : Oct-Dec : 1,000 1,000 800 80 TX : Aug-Nov : 1,200 1,100 900 82 VA : Sep-Oct : 3,400 3,500 2,700 77 Total : : 10,600 10,100 7,900 78 : : Eggplant : : FL : Oct-Dec : 800 1,000 600 60 : : Escarole/Endive 2/ : : FL 1/ : Oct-Dec : 400 800 400 50 NJ : Sep-Oct : 400 400 400 100 Total : : 800 1,200 800 67 : : Honeydews : : AZ : Oct-Dec : 600 1,300 1,000 77 CA : Oct-Dec : 2,500 3,500 3,800 109 Total : : 3,100 4,800 4,800 100 : : Head Lettuce : : AZ - Other : Oct-Dec : 600 1,200 1,300 108 CA : Oct-Dec : 30,500 34,000 35,000 103 FL 3/ : Oct-Dec : 300 NJ : Sep-Nov : 800 600 500 83 NM : Oct-Nov : 1,000 1,100 1,100 100 Total : : 33,200 36,900 37,900 103 : : Bell Peppers 2/ : : FL 1/ : Sep-Dec : 6,500 7,200 7,600 106 TX : Aug-Nov : 3,600 3,700 4,200 114 Total : : 10,100 10,900 11,800 108 : : Tomatoes : : CA : Oct-Dec : 10,700 10,900 11,300 104 FL 1/ : Sep-Dec : 18,600 18,000 13,100 73 Total : : 29,300 28,900 24,400 84 : : Watermelons : : AZ : Sep-Dec : 700 600 86 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 1995 revised. 2/ Includes fresh market and processing. 3/ Estimate discontinued. Onions: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Season, State, and United States, 1994-96 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area : Yield per Acre Season :----------------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For : : : State :-------------------: Harvest : 1994 : 1995 : 1996 : 1994 : 1995 : 1996 : : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- Acres ---------- --------- Cwt --------- : Spring : 35,400 35,600 36,800 291 284 259 Summer : Non-Storage 1/ : 13,400 14,800 12,400 384 407 337 : Storage : CO : 17,500 17,800 18,000 350 345 340 ID : 8,600 8,700 8,600 645 630 630 MI : 6,700 6,400 6,000 325 290 330 MN : 760 520 570 411 240 255 NY : 12,400 12,600 11,400 310 320 260 OH : 490 480 490 370 305 325 OR : Malheur : 12,400 12,300 12,000 595 580 580 West : 6,900 6,800 6,300 420 400 400 UT : 2,000 2,200 2,100 410 440 440 WA : 10,900 12,500 13,000 500 490 490 WI : 1,900 1,900 1,600 340 235 330 Subtotal : 80,550 82,200 80,060 439 428 426 : CA 2/ : 31,000 30,500 31,000 410 415 440 : Summer Total : 124,950 127,500 123,460 426 422 420 : US : 160,350 163,100 160,260 396 392 383 :----------------------------------------------------------- : Production :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1994 : 1995 : 1996 :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Cwt : Spring : 10,297 10,110 9,518 Summer : Non-Storage 1/ : 5,145 6,027 4,176 : Storage : CO : 6,125 6,141 6,120 ID : 5,547 5,481 5,418 MI : 2,178 1,856 1,980 MN : 312 125 145 NY : 3,844 4,032 2,964 OH : 181 146 159 OR : Malheur : 7,378 7,134 6,960 West : 2,898 2,720 2,520 UT : 820 968 924 WA : 5,450 6,125 6,370 WI : 646 447 528 Subtotal : 35,379 35,175 34,088 : CA 2/ : 12,710 12,658 13,640 : Summer Total : 53,234 53,860 51,904 : US : 63,531 63,970 61,422 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Carried forward from earlier forecast. 1996 excludes Nevada. 2/ Primarily for processing. Storage Onion Production down 3 Percent Summer storage onions (excluding California) should be harvested from 80,960 acres in 1996, down 2 percent from last year. Production is forecast at 34.1 million hundredweight, down 3 percent from last year and 4 percent less than in 1994. Harvest of Michigan's onion crop was nearing completion. Cool, dry weather during most of the growing season held disease problems down with most growers producing above average yields. Size and quality were good to excellent in most parts of the state. Growing conditions were also good in Minnesota. The crop in Wisconsin was 7 to 10 days later than normal but in good condition. Continued wet conditions in New York delayed harvest by 2 weeks and caused some more acres to be abandoned. In Washington, the harvest was active with onions of good quality, but smaller than normal sizes. In Idaho, hot weather during July and August may have slowed growth. As of September 22, 66 percent of the acreage had been harvested, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 59 percent. In Oregon, producers in the Willamette valley were still expecting average or below average yields. Harvest was running slightly behind normal because a cool, wet spring slowed crop development. Growers in Utah expected an average crop. The California crop was expected from 31,000 acres, up 2 percent from last year and unchanged from 1994. Production, at 13.6 million hundredweight, was 8 percent greater than last year and 7 percent more than in 1994. Yield and size of the crop was better than last year and better than this spring. Harvest was proceeding on schedule with very few problems. The next "Vegetables" report will be released at 3:00 p.m. ET on January 17, 1997. 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