Vg 1-1 (10-03) Vegetables National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released October 3, 2003, 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 Vegetable Harvested Acreage Up 1 Percent The prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh market vegetables during the fall quarter is forecast at 164,250 acres, up 1 percent from last year. Acreage increased for broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, and sweet corn, while acreage decreased for snap beans, cucumbers, head lettuce, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Acreage for carrots remained the same. Area forecasted for melon harvest is 14,500 acres, up 14 percent from last year's comparable commodities. Cantaloup harvested area is forecast at 10,000 acres, up 18 percent from 2002. Honeydew harvested area is forecast at 4,500 acres, up 7 percent from last fall. Watermelon acreage is not available this season due to the seasonal forecast for Arizona being discontinued in 2003. End of season estimates for watermelons will be published in the January 2004 annual. Summer Storage Onion Production Up 3 Percent Summer storage onion production is forecast at 48.5 million hundredweight, up 3 percent from last year. Storage onion harvested area is forecast at 103,680 acres, virtually unchanged from 2002. California production, at 14.0 million hundredweight, is 14 percent higher than 2002. Harvested area is expected to be 33,300 acres, up 10 percent from last year. Contents Fresh Market Page By Crops Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Harvested Acres of Selected Vegetables, Melons, and Dual Purpose Crops by State Beans, Snap. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Broccoli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Cabbage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Cantaloups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Carrots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Cauliflower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Celery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Corn, Sweet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Cucumbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Eggplant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Escarole/Endive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Honeydews. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Lettuce, Head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Peppers, Bell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Tomatoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Watermelons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Fresh Market Crop Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Onions: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Season Onions, Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Onions, Summer Non-storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Onions, Summer Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Onion Crop Comments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Season, and Crop, Major States, 2001-2002 and Forecasted Area 2003 (Domestic Units) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Season :----------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For Crop :-----------------------------------: Harvest : 2001 : 2002 : 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Acres : Winter : 190,200 178,300 185,200 : Spring : 304,400 297,200 295,900 : Summer : 442,200 435,600 432,400 : Fall : Snap Beans : 17,300 18,500 18,000 Broccoli 1/ : 27,500 27,000 29,000 Cabbage : 5,900 6,300 6,800 Carrots : 19,500 17,200 17,200 Cauliflower 1/ : 10,000 10,000 10,500 Celery 1/ : 7,000 6,700 6,800 Sweet Corn : 8,700 8,900 9,800 Cucumbers : 7,200 7,500 7,150 Eggplant 2/ : 700 Escarole/Endive 2/ : 700 Head Lettuce : 30,800 31,300 30,600 Bell Peppers 1/ : 5,200 5,200 4,800 Tomatoes : 23,700 24,700 23,600 : Total 13 Vegetables : 164,200 163,300 164,250 : Cantaloups : 8,400 8,500 10,000 Honeydew Melons : 4,300 4,200 4,500 Watermelons 3/ : 1,000 1,000 : Total 3 Melons : 13,700 13,700 14,500 : Total Fall Crop : 177,900 177,000 178,750 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes fresh market and processing. 2/ Estimates discontinued in 2002. 3/ Seasonal forecast for AZ discontinued in 2003. Estimate to be published in the "Vegetables 2003 Summary". Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Season, and Crop, Major States, 2001-2002 and Forecasted Area 2003 (Metric Units) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Season :----------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For Crop :-----------------------------------: Harvest : 2001 : 2002 : 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Hectares : Winter : 76,970 72,160 74,950 : Spring : 123,190 120,270 119,750 : Summer : 178,950 176,280 174,990 : Fall : Snap Beans : 7,000 7,490 7,280 Broccoli 1/ : 11,130 10,930 11,740 Cabbage : 2,390 2,550 2,750 Carrots : 7,890 6,960 6,960 Cauliflower 1/ : 4,050 4,050 4,250 Celery 1/ : 2,830 2,710 2,750 Sweet Corn : 3,520 3,600 3,970 Cucumbers : 2,910 3,040 2,890 Eggplant 2/ : 280 Escarole/Endive 2/ : 280 Head Lettuce : 12,460 12,670 12,380 Bell Peppers 1/ : 2,100 2,100 1,940 Tomatoes : 9,590 10,000 9,550 : Total 13 Vegetables 3/ : 66,450 66,090 66,470 : Cantaloups : 3,400 3,440 4,050 Honeydew Melons : 1,740 1,700 1,820 Watermelons 4/ : 400 400 : Total 3 Melons 3/ : 5,540 5,540 5,870 : Total Fall Crop 3/ : 71,990 71,630 72,340 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes fresh market and processing. 2/ Estimates discontinued in 2002. 3/ Totals may not add due to rounding. 4/ Seasonal forecast for AZ discontinued in 2003. Estimate to be published in the "Vegetables 2003 Summary". Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Crop, State, and Total, Fall Season, 2001-2002 and Forecasted Area 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Area Crop : Usual :----------------------------------------- and : Harvest : Harvested : For State : Period :---------------------------: Harvest : : 2001 : 2002 : 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- Acres ------------- : Snap Beans : FL : Oct-Dec 9,000 10,000 10,200 GA : Oct-Dec 4,500 5,000 4,500 NJ : Sep-Oct 1,800 1,600 1,500 VA : Sep-Oct 2,000 1,900 1,800 : Total : 17,300 18,500 18,000 : Broccoli 1/ : CA : Oct-Dec 27,500 27,000 29,000 : Cabbage : FL : Oct-Dec 500 500 500 GA : Oct-Dec 3,500 4,100 4,800 NJ : Sep-Nov 500 500 500 TX : Sep-Nov 1,400 1,200 1,000 : Total : 5,900 6,300 6,800 : Cantaloups : AZ : Sep-Dec 4,600 4,600 5,200 CA : Oct-Dec 3,800 3,900 4,800 : Total : 8,400 8,500 10,000 : Carrots : CA : Oct-Dec 19,000 17,000 17,000 TX : Sep-Nov 500 200 200 : Total : 19,500 17,200 17,200 : Cauliflower 1/ : CA : Oct-Dec 10,000 10,000 10,500 : Celery 1/ : CA : Oct-Dec 7,000 6,700 6,800 : Sweet Corn : CA : Oct-Dec 3,800 4,000 5,000 FL : Oct-Dec 4,900 4,900 4,800 : Total : 8,700 8,900 9,800 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Crop, State, and Total, Fall Season, 2001-2002 and Forecasted Area 2003 (continued) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Area Crop : Usual :----------------------------------------- and : Harvest : Harvested : For State : Period :---------------------------: Harvest : : 2001 : 2002 : 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- Acres ------------- : Cucumbers : FL : Oct-Dec 3,500 3,500 3,500 SC : Oct-Dec 800 800 850 TX : Sep-Nov 1,500 1,400 1,000 VA : Sep-Oct 1,400 1,800 1,800 : Total : 7,200 7,500 7,150 : Eggplant : FL 2/ : Oct-Dec 700 : Escarole/Endive : FL 2/ 3/ : Oct-Dec NJ 2/ 3/ : Sep-Nov : Total : 700 : Honeydews : AZ : Oct-Dec 800 800 1,000 CA : Oct-Dec 3,500 3,400 3,500 : Total : 4,300 4,200 4,500 : Head Lettuce : AZ - Other : Oct-May 500 500 400 CA : Oct-Dec 30,000 30,500 30,000 NJ : Sep-Nov 300 300 200 : Total : 30,800 31,300 30,600 : Bell Peppers 1/ : FL : Sep-Dec 4,500 4,900 4,500 TX : Sep-Nov 700 300 300 : Total : 5,200 5,200 4,800 : Tomatoes : CA : Oct-Dec 9,700 9,200 9,400 FL : Sep-Dec 14,000 15,500 14,200 : Total : 23,700 24,700 23,600 : Watermelons : AZ 4/ : Oct-Dec 1,000 1,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes fresh market and processing. 2/ Estimates discontinued in 2002. 3/ Not published for 2001 to avoid disclosure of individual operations. 4/ Seasonal forecast discontinued in 2003. Estimate to be published in the "Vegetables 2003 Summary". Snap Beans: Fall fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 18,000 acres, down 3 percent from last year but 4 percent above 2001. Northern Florida growers are just beginning harvest. Growers in southern Florida began planting the first week of September. Recent rains have slowed progress but no major problems have occurred as a result. Georgia's recent weather has been dry, which is good during harvest, but more rain was needed to improve crop conditions. The New Jersey yields are expected to be lower for the fall crop due to wet conditions in late August and September. In Virginia, growers have dealt with excessive rainfall from mid-July through mid-August. The effects of Hurricane Isabel, which came through the area on September 18, are unknown at this time. Broccoli: California's area for fall harvest is forecast at 29,000 acres, 7 percent above last year and 5 percent more than 2001. The fall crop has progressed well in recent months under warm temperatures. No major pest problems have been reported. Cabbage: Fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 6,800 acres, up 8 percent from last year and 15 percent above two years earlier. Georgia's crop benefitted from hot, sunny weather over the summer, but rain is needed to improve crop conditions. New Jersey's fall crop is expected to have lower yields due to wildlife damage and excessive rainfall. In Texas, the Rio Grande Valley region was recently hit hard by rains and growers have been unable to plant because of standing water in the fields. Cantaloups: Fall cantaloup area for harvest is forecast at 10,000 acres, up 18 percent from 2002 and 19 percent above two years ago. Arizona nights have been cooler than expected which could result in the loss of late planted acres. Maturity has been slowed by the cooler temperatures. Harvest in western Arizona is expected to begin in a couple of weeks. The central region began harvesting around mid-September. The California crop is progressing well under favorable conditions. Quality is good and no major insect or disease problems have been reported. Carrots: Area for fresh market harvest is forecast at 17,200 acres, unchanged from last year but 12 percent below 2001. Growing conditions for the California crop have been excellent. Growers expect good yields and excellent quality for the fall crop. Texas has been delayed by heavy rains which are keeping growers from getting the fall crop planted on schedule. Cauliflower: Area for fall harvest in California is forecast at 10,500 acres, up 5 percent from both last year and 2001. California's fall crop development is normal with no pest or disease problems reported. Warm temperatures have helped the crop progress very well in recent months. Celery: California's fall area for harvest is forecast at 6,800 acres, up 1 percent from 2002 but down 3 percent from 2001. Celery quality from the Salinas Valley is expected to be lower than normal due to hot weather during mid-September which caused pith problems. However, the crop in the central coastal areas of Santa Maria and Oxnard looks good. Sweet Corn: Fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 9,800 acres, up 10 percent from last year and 13 percent above 2001. California's crop is in good condition with no insect or disease problems reported. In Florida, rainy August weather followed by drier conditions during the first half of September aided plant growth. Planting was delayed in some areas, but no significant acreage loss is expected. Cucumbers: Area for fall harvest is forecast at 7,150 acres, 5 percent below last year and 1 percent lower than 2001. Planting in Florida is active in most areas but has been slowed by recent rainfall. Limited harvest is beginning in the northern areas. Growers report the crop is looking good. South Carolina had sufficient rainfall and good temperatures early in the season. However, fall conditions have been drier and growers without irrigation are concerned about quality. The Rio Grande Valley region of Texas had problems during planting because of heavy rains which left standing water and prevented workers from getting into the fields. In Virginia, growers were challenged by excessive rainfall from mid-July to mid-August. The effects of Hurricane Isabel, which came through the area on September 18, are unknown at this time. Honeydews: Fresh market area for fall harvest is forecast at 4,500 acres, up 7 percent from last year and 5 percent above 2001. Arizona temperatures have been cooler which has slowed maturity of the melons. Western Arizona honeydew growers expect harvest to begin in a couple weeks. The California crop is progressing well under favorable growing conditions. Good quality is reported. Head Lettuce: Area for fall harvest is forecast at 30,600 acres, down 2 percent from last year and 1 percent below two years ago. In central Arizona, heavy monsoon activity in the major growing region during August resulted in water sitting in the furrows. The extent of the damage is unknown at this time. California's fall lettuce crop is progressing well. No major pest problems have been reported. New Jersey lost some acreage due to excessive rainfall. Bell Peppers: Fall area for harvest is forecast at 4,800 acres, down 8 percent from both 2002 and 2001. In Florida, rain during August lowered yield prospects on the earliest planted acreage. Drier weather during early and mid-September allowed planting to proceed at a normal pace. In Texas, planting went well in the San Antonio/Winter Garden area. However, excessive rainfall in the Rio Grande Valley has halted fall planting. Tomatoes: Fresh market area for fall harvest is forecast at 23,600 acres, 4 percent below last year and down less than 1 percent from 2001. California growers report steady growth and development of the fall tomato crop with no major problems reported. In Florida, frequent rains during July and August have lowered fruit quality and reduced expected yields. Northern Florida began picking in late September and harvest is expected to begin in the Immokalee and Palmetto-Ruskin areas by mid-October. Onions: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Season, State, and United States, 2001-2002 and Forecasted 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area : Yield per Acre Season :----------------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For : : : State :-------------------: Harvest : 2001 : 2002 : 2003 : 2001 : 2002 : 2003 : : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- Acres ---------- --------- Cwt --------- : Spring : 36,900 34,200 31,500 302 284 304 Summer : Non-Storage : 21,000 22,400 22,500 456 491 508 : Storage : CA 1/ : 29,800 30,400 33,300 405 405 420 CO : 12,000 11,000 9,600 345 400 405 ID : 7,800 7,900 8,300 640 640 630 MI : 3,700 3,900 3,600 270 230 270 MN : 220 250 200 330 310 250 NY : 12,800 12,300 11,800 330 230 340 OH : 470 470 380 360 260 325 OR : Malheur : 11,300 12,000 11,000 620 650 590 Other : 5,700 5,400 6,000 520 530 480 UT : 2,100 2,100 1,800 455 500 460 WA : 16,000 16,000 16,000 550 560 590 WI : 1,800 1,900 1,700 300 280 365 : Total : 103,690 103,620 103,680 453 453 468 : Summer : 124,690 126,020 126,180 453 459 475 : US : 161,590 160,220 157,680 419 422 441 :----------------------------------------------------------- : Production :----------------------------------------------------------- : 2001 : 2002 : 2003 :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Cwt : Spring : 11,136 9,705 9,578 Summer : Non-Storage : 9,585 11,008 11,421 : Storage : CA 1/ : 12,069 12,312 13,986 CO : 4,140 4,400 3,888 ID : 4,992 5,056 5,229 MI : 999 897 972 MN : 73 78 50 NY : 4,224 2,829 4,012 OH : 169 122 124 OR : Malheur : 7,006 7,800 6,490 Other : 2,964 2,862 2,880 UT : 956 1,050 828 WA : 8,800 8,960 9,440 WI : 540 532 621 : Total : 46,932 46,898 48,520 : Summer : 56,517 57,906 59,941 : US : 67,653 67,611 69,519 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Primarily for dehydrated and other processing. Summer Storage Onion Production Up 3 Percent Summer storage onion production is forecast at 48.5 million hundredweight, up 3 percent from last year. Harvested area is forecast at 103,680 acres, virtually unchanged from 2002. The yield is up 15 cwt from last year at 468 hundredweight per acre. The California crop is mostly progressing well with some areas behind due to cool spring weather. Crop conditions range from normal to good. There were a few reports of decay in some locations. Harvest has progressed well and was complete in some parts of the San Joaquin Valley by mid-September. The processing portion of the storage crop is in good condition. Colorado conditions have been favorable this season. Hail damage was below average and irrigation water supplies were adequate. Harvest continues to progress ahead of schedule under excellent conditions. In Idaho, yields are down and bulb size is smaller due to hot and dry conditions during the growing season. In addition, some acreage was damaged by hail in late July. As of September 22, three quarters of the onion crop has been harvested. Michigan's onion crop progressed well at the beginning of the growing season, however, localized heavy rains during August caused some disease problems. Growers reported good yields and quality as harvest progressed steadily under dry conditions. Minnesota experienced dry weather during August and early September, but recent rains improved soil conditions. Excellent quality and good yields are expected. In New York, onions are maturing late due to excess rain and cool weather during August and September which slowed growth. Quality is good but bulb size is small. Ohio growers have experienced wet weather and cool temperatures. Oregon's harvest is at its peak and should finish by early October. Yields are down due to a severe hail storm during the last week of July causing the complete loss of some fields. In addition, yields have been affected by heat stress and unavailability of water during critical times. Utah's summer was hot and dry which has reduced bulb size and yields. Quality of the crop is good with minimal disease problems reported. Harvest in Washington is progressing. Hot and dry conditions during the summer caused smaller bulb size. Overall quality is average to good. Wisconsin growers report an above average crop despite dry conditions this year. Pest and disease problems are minimal. The next "Vegetables" report will be released at 3 p.m. ET on January 8, 2004. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) 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