Vg 1-1 (10-99) Vegetables National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released October 7, 1999, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Vegetables" call Biz Wallingsford at (202) 720-2157, office hours 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. Fresh Vegetables Harvested Acreage Down Slightly The prospective area for harvest of 13 selected fresh market vegetables during the fall quarter is forecast at 181,200 acres, down slightly from 1998 and 1 percent below 1997. Acreage reductions for broccoli, celery, sweet corn, eggplant, head lettuce, and bell peppers offset increased acreage of snap beans, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Area estimated for melon harvest is 18,000 acres, down 4 percent from last year. Cantaloup acreage is forecast at 11,500 acres, down 9 percent from 1998. Honeydew acreage is estimated at 5,400 acres, up 2 percent from last fall. Watermelon acreage is forecasted at 1,100 acres, up 38 percent from last year. Summer Storage Onion Production(Excluding California) Up 3 Percent Summer storage onion production (excluding California) is forecast at 36.8 million hundredweight, up 3 percent from last year but down 4 percent from 1997. Storage onion harvested acres are estimated at 82,250 acres, slightly below last year. The California crop is estimated to be 35,000 acres, up 7 percent from last year and 12 percent above 1997. California production, at 15.2 million hundredweight, is 6 percent more than last year and 11 percent more than 1997. Fresh Vegetables Harvested Acreage Down Slightly Snap Beans: Fall fresh market acreage for harvest is forecast at 16,100 acres, up 1 percent from last year but 11 percent less than 1997. The Florida crop is in good condition with no major damage from Hurricane Harvey. New Jersey reports a normal season. In South Carolina, most of the crop is located in the southeast and was not affected by flooding associated with Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd, but did receive adequate rainfall for a good crop. Broccoli: California's acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 27,500, 10 percent below last year and 8 percent below 1997. Cool weather early in the year pushed much of the crop about two weeks behind schedule. The quality of the crop is good with few reports of pest problems. Cabbage: Fresh market acreage for harvest is forecast at 5,650 acres, up 9 percent from last year but 10 percent below 1997. In Georgia, recent scattered showers throughout the state have improved conditions after the summer drought. New Jersey acreage has been affected by low market prices and unfavorable weather conditions. Cantaloups: Fall cantaloup acreage for harvest is forecast at 11,500 acres, down 9 percent from last year but 17 percent above 1997. California reports good quality and size in nearly all acreage. California acreage of late season cantaloup continues to increase and demand for cubed cantaloup is still strong. Carrots: Acreage for fresh market harvest is forecast at 25,100 acres, up 10 percent from last year and 14 percent above 1997. Cool weather in California during the first quarter of the year caused the crop to be behind by two weeks, but it is now back on schedule. The quality of the crop in California is very good and yields are expected to be up this year. Cauliflower: Acreage for fall harvest in California is forecast at 10,500 acres, the same as last year and 17 percent above two years ago. Cool weather early in the year slowed initial growth, but the crop has rebounded and is on the same schedule as last year. Yields look good and there have been no major pest infestations this year. Celery: California's fall acreage for harvest is forecast at 6,700 acres, down 4 percent from 1998 but the same as two years ago. The California crop is on schedule with good progress on quality and yields. Sweet Corn: Fresh market acreage for harvest is forecast at 9,100 acres, down 5 percent from last year and 12 percent less than 1997. The California crop is on schedule for harvest with only minor pest problems. In Florida, heavy rains in September caused some discoloring in fields around Zellwood with dry weather needed for plants to recover. Planting gained momentum during late September in the Everglades area. East coast growers prepared land for planting as weather permitted during the last half of September. Picking is expected to begin in November in the Zellwood region. Cucumbers: Acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 8,800 acres, 16 percent above last year and 9 percent above 1997. In Florida, planting began in early September in the Palmetto-Ruskin region. By early October, some East Coast growers began planting. Hurricanes and tropical storms during September caused no significant damage. In South Carolina, recent rainfall has improved chances of a good harvest and most of the state, with the exception of the Pee Dee area, was spared the excessive rains of Hurricanes Floyd and Dennis. In Virginia, some fields were affected by excessive rains in mid-August. Eggplant: Fresh market acreage for fall harvest in Florida is forecast at 600 acres, down 14 percent from both 1998 and 1997. Planting began in the East Coast area during August and continues at the present time in the Southwest area. The crop is in fair to good condition with tying and staking active as needed. Escarole/Endive: Fresh market acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 650 acres, the same as 1998 but 28 percent below 1997. In Florida, planting of limited acreage began by mid-September with some activity delayed due to the nearby passage of tropical storms and hurricanes. Extremely dry summer conditions in New Jersey affected the fall planting. Honeydews: Fresh market acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 5,400 acres, up 2 percent from last year but 2 percent less than 1997. Late summer cool weather in California caused the crop to mature slowly but overall quality was reported as good. Harvest is on schedule. Head Lettuce: Acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 36,600 acres, down 3 percent from last year and 2 percent below 1997. In California, Salinas Valley growers are actively picking with reports of good quality. Harvest is expected to begin in New Mexico in the next two weeks with no unusual weather conditions reported. Bell Peppers: Fall acreage for harvest is forecast at 8,500 acres, 2 percent less than 1998 but the same as 1997. In Florida, East Coast growers began planting limited acreage during late July, while Palmetto-Ruskin and Southwest producers began in late August. Young plants in the East Coast region suffered some damage from wind and blowing sand when tropical storms and hurricanes passed during September. These storms also delayed planting and laying of plastic. Tomatoes: Fresh market acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 25,400 acres, 3 percent above last year and 5 percent above 1997. Cool weather in California allowed the plants to develop well. Quality of California tomatoes has been reported as exceptional with above average size. Markets are expected to be stronger as the season moves into the late summer and fall periods. In Florida, planting and transplanting occurred on schedule throughout the state. Hurricane Floyd and Tropical Storm Harvey caused no significant damage to the early planting but delayed some field work during September. Watermelons: Arizona acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 1,100 acres, up 38 percent from 1998 and 57 percent above 1997. Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Season, and Crop, Major States, 1997-98 and Prospective Area 1999 (Domestic Units) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Season :----------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For Crop :-----------------------------------: Harvest : 1997 : 1998 : 1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Acres : Winter : 189,100 191,450 193,500 : Spring : 337,750 342,400 345,600 : Summer : 467,150 471,600 495,600 : Fall : Snap Beans : 18,100 16,000 16,100 Broccoli 1/ : 30,000 30,500 27,500 Cabbage : 6,300 5,200 5,650 Carrots : 22,000 22,900 25,100 Cauliflower 1/ : 9,000 10,500 10,500 Celery 1/ : 6,700 7,000 6,700 Sweet Corn : 10,400 9,600 9,100 Cucumbers : 8,100 7,600 8,800 Eggplant : 700 700 600 Escarole/Endive : 900 650 650 Head Lettuce : 37,500 37,800 36,600 Bell Peppers 1/ : 8,500 8,700 8,500 Tomatoes 2/ : 24,100 24,700 25,400 : Total 13 Vegetables 2/ : 182,300 181,850 181,200 : Cantaloups : 9,800 12,700 11,500 Honeydew Melons : 5,500 5,300 5,400 Watermelons : 700 800 1,100 : Total 3 Melons : 16,000 18,800 18,000 : Total Fall Crop 2/ : 198,300 200,650 199,200 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes fresh market and processing. 2/ 1998 revised. Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Season, and Crop, Major States, 1997-98 and Prospective Area 1999 (Metric Units) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Season :----------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For Crop :-----------------------------------: Harvest : 1997 : 1998 : 1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Hectares : Winter : 76,530 77,480 78,310 : Spring : 136,680 138,570 139,860 : Summer : 189,050 190,850 200,560 : Fall : Snap Beans : 7,320 6,480 6,520 Broccoli 1/ : 12,140 12,340 11,130 Cabbage : 2,550 2,100 2,290 Carrots : 8,900 9,270 10,160 Cauliflower 1/ : 3,640 4,250 4,250 Celery 1/ : 2,710 2,830 2,710 Sweet Corn : 4,210 3,890 3,680 Cucumbers : 3,280 3,080 3,560 Eggplant : 280 280 240 Escarole/Endive : 360 260 260 Head Lettuce : 15,180 15,300 14,810 Tomatoes 2/ : 9,750 10,000 10,280 : Total 13 Vegetables 2/ : 73,770 73,590 73,330 : Cantaloups : 3,970 5,140 4,650 Honeydew Melons : 2,230 2,140 2,190 Watermelons : 280 320 450 : Total 3 Melons : 6,480 7,610 7,280 : Total Fall Crop 2/ : 80,250 81,200 80,610 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes fresh market and processing. 2/ 1998 revised Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Crop, State, and Total, Fall Season, 1997-98 and Prospective Area 1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Area : Crop : Usual :--------------------------------: Area for and : Harvest : Harvested : For : Harvest State : Period :---------------------: Harvest :Percent of : : 1997 : 1998 : 1999 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : ----------- Acres ---------- Percent : : Snap Beans : : FL : Oct-Dec : 7,300 7,800 6,700 86 GA : Sep-Dec : 5,000 2,600 3,800 146 MD : Oct-Oct : 300 400 400 100 NJ : Aug-Oct : 3,000 2,600 2,800 108 SC : Oct-Dec : 400 500 600 120 VA : Sep-Oct : 2,100 2,100 1,800 86 Total : : 18,100 16,000 16,100 101 : : Broccoli 1/ : : CA : Oct-Dec : 30,000 30,500 27,500 90 : : Cabbage : : FL : Oct-Dec : 400 400 450 113 GA : Sep-Dec : 3,700 3,000 3,100 103 NJ : Sep-Nov : 1,100 1,000 700 70 TX : Sep-Nov : 1,100 800 1,400 175 Total : : 6,300 5,200 5,650 109 : : Cantaloups : : AZ : Oct-Nov : 6,200 8,700 6,500 75 CA : Oct-Dec : 3,600 4,000 5,000 125 Total : : 9,800 12,700 11,500 91 : : Carrots : : CA : Oct-Dec : 21,700 22,500 24,500 109 TX : Sep-Nov : 300 400 600 150 Total : : 22,000 22,900 25,100 110 : : Cauliflower 1/ : : CA : Oct-Dec : 9,000 10,500 10,500 100 : : Celery 1/ : : CA : Oct-Dec : 6,700 7,000 6,700 96 : : Sweet Corn : : CA : Oct-Dec : 3,800 4,000 4,100 103 FL : Oct-Dec : 6,600 5,600 5,000 89 Total : : 10,400 9,600 9,100 95 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnotes at end of table. --continued Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Crop, State, and Total, Fall Season, 1997-98 and Prospective Area 1999 (continued) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Area : Crop : Usual :--------------------------------: Area for and : Harvest : Harvested : For : Harvest State : Period :---------------------: Harvest :Percent of : : 1997 : 1998 : 1999 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : ----------- Acres ---------- Percent : : Cucumbers : : FL : Oct-Dec : 3,900 3,500 4,300 123 SC : Oct-Dec : 700 800 1,000 125 TX : Sep-Nov : 1,100 900 1,200 133 VA : Sep-Oct : 2,400 2,400 2,300 96 Total : : 8,100 7,600 8,800 116 : : Eggplant : : FL : Sep-Dec : 700 700 600 86 : : Escarole/Endive : : FL : Oct-Dec : 400 150 250 167 NJ : Sep-Nov : 500 500 400 80 Total : : 900 650 650 100 : : Honeydews : : AZ : Nov-Apr : 1,700 1,500 1,500 100 CA : Oct-Dec : 3,800 3,800 3,900 103 Total : : 5,500 5,300 5,400 102 : : Head Lettuce : : AZ - Other : Nov-Apr : 1,100 1,000 1,100 110 CA : Oct-Dec : 35,000 35,500 34,000 96 NJ : Sep-Nov : 500 500 300 60 NM : Oct-Nov : 900 800 1,200 150 Total : : 37,500 37,800 36,600 97 : : Bell Peppers 1/ : : FL : Oct-Dec : 7,200 7,500 7,500 100 TX : Sep-Nov : 1,300 1,200 1,000 83 Total : : 8,500 8,700 8,500 98 : : Tomatoes : : CA : Oct-Dec : 8,800 9,000 10,900 121 FL 2/ : Sep-Dec : 15,300 15,700 14,500 92 Total 2/ : : 24,100 24,700 25,400 103 : : Watermelons : : AZ : Nov-Apr : 700 800 1,100 138 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes fresh market and processing. 2/ 1998 revised. Summer Storage Onion Production (Excluding California) Up 3 Percent Summer storage onion production (excluding California) is forecast at 36.8 million hundredweight, up 3 percent from last year but 4 percent less than 1997. The storage onion crop should be harvested from 82,250 acres, slightly below last year. In Colorado, the Front Range area received much rain and hail causing disease in part of the crop. Idaho's weather has been warm and dry during September providing excellent conditions for harvest. Michigan harvest started ahead of schedule due to dry late summer conditions but yields were lower than expected with variable stands and sizes. New York received significant rainfall in September but not enough to reverse the effect of the early season drought which reduced yields. Lower yields are also expected in Ohio due to very hot, dry weather during the growing season. In Oregon, planting was delayed by a cool, wet spring but yield indications are higher despite the late start. Oregon weather stayed warm through the end of the summer, lengthening the growing season. Utah is reporting lower yields as a result of the Weber/Davis irrigation canal collapse that occurred during the critical watering period for onions. Approximately two-thirds of Utah's onions are grown in Davis County and onion growers throughout the area reported not having enough water. In Wisconsin, harvest conditions have been excellent through most of September with scattered showers in the onion producing areas since the first week of August. Harvest in Washington is active with good quality onions but size is smaller than normal. The California crop is estimated at 35,000 acres, up 7 percent from last year and 12 percent above 1997. Production, at 15.2 million hundredweight, is 6 percent more than last year and 11 percent more than 1997. Harvest is proceeding slightly behind schedule for most growers due to the cooler weather. Many fresh market onions have been harvested with good overall quality. The warmer weather in the Fresno area is promoting higher yields than the Tulelake and San Joaquin areas where the cooler weather is more prevalent. Onions: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Season, State, and United States, 1997-99 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area : Yield per Acre Season :----------------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For : : : State :-------------------: Harvest : 1997 : 1998 : 1999 : 1997 : 1998 : 1999 : : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- Acres ---------- --------- Cwt --------- : Spring : 37,300 36,900 37,800 285 281 304 Summer : Non-Storage : 14,300 14,150 11,400 413 399 425 : Storage : CO : 15,300 16,000 14,500 350 380 380 ID : 8,200 8,000 7,900 690 580 680 MI : 4,900 4,200 4,000 320 260 270 MN : 600 470 440 300 320 320 NY : 12,200 12,500 12,200 300 300 250 OH : 510 520 510 415 310 250 OR : Malheur : 12,000 12,000 12,900 620 510 580 West : 7,400 7,500 7,300 450 440 470 UT : 2,300 2,400 2,400 485 440 440 WA : 17,500 17,000 18,000 520 500 490 WI : 2,100 2,000 2,100 390 390 370 Subtotal : 83,010 82,590 82,250 463 431 448 : CA 1/ : 31,300 32,700 35,000 440 440 435 : Summer Total : 128,610 129,440 128,650 452 430 442 : US : 165,910 166,340 166,450 414 397 411 :----------------------------------------------------------- : Production :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1997 : 1998 : 1999 :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Cwt : Spring : 10,649 10,356 11,487 Summer : Non-Storage : 5,910 5,651 4,843 : Storage : CO : 5,355 6,080 5,510 ID : 5,658 4,640 5,372 MI : 1,568 1,092 1,080 MN : 180 150 141 NY : 3,660 3,750 3,050 OH : 212 161 128 OR : Malheur : 7,440 6,120 7,482 West : 3,330 3,300 3,431 UT : 1,116 1,056 1,056 WA : 9,100 8,500 8,820 WI : 819 780 777 Subtotal : 38,438 35,629 36,847 : CA 1/ : 13,772 14,388 15,225 : Summer Total : 58,120 55,668 56,915 : US : 68,769 66,024 68,402 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Primarily for processing. 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