Vg 1-1 (10-09) Vegetables National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released October 2, 2009, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Vegetables" call Debbie Flippin at (202) 720-2157, office hours 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET. Fall Season Fresh Vegetable Harvested Area Up 5 Percent Fall Season Melon Harvested Area Up 19 Percent Summer Storage Onion Production Up 3 Percent The prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh market vegetables during the fall quarter is forecast at 152,080 acres, up 5 percent from last year. Acreage increased from last year for snap beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, and head lettuce while acreage declined for carrots, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Area forecasted for fall melon harvest is 17,200 acres, up 19 percent from last year. Cantaloup harvested area is forecast at 13,700 acres, up 19 percent from 2008. Honeydew harvested area is forecast at 3,500 acres, up 21 percent from last fall. Summer storage onion production is forecast at 57.2 million hundredweight, up 3 percent from last year. Storage onion harvested area is forecast at 104,410 acres, down 1 percent from 2008. California production, at 13.9 million hundredweight, is 5 percent above 2008. Harvested area is expected to total 32,000 acres, up 2 percent from last year. Contents Page Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons Beans, Snap................................................................6 Broccoli...................................................................6 Cabbage....................................................................6 Cantaloups.................................................................6 Carrots....................................................................6 Cauliflower................................................................6 Celery.....................................................................6 Corn, Sweet................................................................6 Cucumbers..................................................................7 Honeydew Melons............................................................7 Lettuce, Head..............................................................7 Onions, Spring............................................................10 Summer Non-storage......................................................10 Summer Storage..........................................................10 Peppers, Bell..............................................................7 Tomatoes...................................................................7 Fresh Market Crop Comments.................................................8 Onion Crop Comments.......................................................11 Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons, by Season and Crop............4 Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Season and Crop, Major States, 2007-2008 and Forecasted Area 2009 (Domestic Units) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Season :----------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For Crop :-----------------------------------: Harvest : 2007 : 2008 : 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Acres : Winter : 173,280 159,030 150,900 : Spring : 271,130 269,590 259,500 : Summer : 370,500 354,200 353,000 : Fall : Snap Beans : 18,900 17,800 18,000 Broccoli 1/ : 26,000 25,000 25,500 Cabbage : 5,840 4,970 6,680 Carrots : 18,200 17,000 16,800 Cauliflower 1/ : 8,300 7,900 8,400 Celery 1/ : 7,100 7,000 7,400 Sweet Corn : 9,300 9,400 10,000 Cucumbers : 8,600 4,900 5,900 Head Lettuce : 29,000 28,000 31,000 Bell Peppers 1/ : 4,800 3,700 3,600 Tomatoes : 17,400 19,000 18,800 : Total : 153,440 144,670 152,080 : Cantaloups : 10,500 11,500 13,700 Honeydew Melons : 2,800 2,900 3,500 : Total Melons : 13,300 14,400 17,200 : Total Fall Crop : 166,740 159,070 169,280 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes fresh market and processing. Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Season and Crop, Major States, 2007-2008 and Forecasted Area 2009 (Metric Units) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Season :----------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For Crop :-----------------------------------: Harvest : 2007 : 2008 : 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Hectares : Winter : 70,120 64,360 61,070 : Spring : 109,720 109,100 105,020 : Summer : 149,940 143,340 142,860 : Fall : Snap Beans : 7,650 7,200 7,280 Broccoli 1/ : 10,520 10,120 10,320 Cabbage : 2,360 2,010 2,700 Carrots : 7,370 6,880 6,800 Cauliflower 1/ : 3,360 3,200 3,400 Celery 1/ : 2,870 2,830 2,990 Sweet Corn : 3,760 3,800 4,050 Cucumbers : 3,480 1,980 2,390 Head Lettuce : 11,740 11,330 12,550 Bell Peppers 1/ : 1,940 1,500 1,460 Tomatoes : 7,040 7,690 7,610 : Total 2/ : 62,100 58,550 61,550 : Cantaloups : 4,250 4,650 5,540 Honeydew Melons : 1,130 1,170 1,420 : Total Melons 2/ : 5,380 5,830 6,960 : Total Fall Crop 2/ : 67,480 64,370 68,510 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes fresh market and processing. 2/ Totals may not add due to rounding. Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Crop, State, and Total, Fall Season, 2007-2008 and Forecasted Area 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Area Crop : Usual :----------------------------------------- and : Harvest : Harvested : For State : Period :---------------------------: Harvest : : 2007 : 2008 : 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- Acres ------------- : Snap Beans : FL : Oct-Dec 11,000 8,500 9,200 GA : Oct-Dec 5,000 5,500 5,600 NJ : Sep-Oct 1,100 1,000 1,000 VA : Sep-Oct 1,800 2,800 2,200 : Total : 18,900 17,800 18,000 : Broccoli 1/ : CA : Oct-Dec 26,000 25,000 25,500 : Cabbage : FL : Oct-Dec 1,140 1,200 1,700 GA : Oct-Dec 4,000 3,000 4,000 NJ : Aug-Nov 500 600 800 TX : Sep-Nov 200 170 180 : Total : 5,840 4,970 6,680 : Cantaloups : AZ : Oct-Dec 7,100 7,500 9,700 CA : Oct-Dec 3,400 4,000 4,000 : Total : 10,500 11,500 13,700 : Carrots : CA : Oct-Dec 18,000 16,900 16,700 TX : Oct-Dec 200 100 100 : Total : 18,200 17,000 16,800 : Cauliflower 1/ : CA : Oct-Dec 8,300 7,900 8,400 : Celery 1/ : CA : Oct-Dec 7,100 7,000 7,400 : Sweet Corn : CA : Oct-Dec 4,100 3,900 3,900 FL : Sep-Dec 5,200 5,500 6,100 : Total : 9,300 9,400 10,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Crop, State, and Total, Fall Season, 2007-2008 and Forecasted Area 2009 (continued) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Area Crop : Usual :----------------------------------------- and : Harvest : Harvested : For State : Period :---------------------------: Harvest : : 2007 : 2008 : 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- Acres ------------- : Cucumbers : FL : Oct-Dec 7,100 3,300 3,300 SC : Oct-Dec 400 600 1,000 TX : Sep-Nov 700 600 800 VA : Sep-Oct 400 400 800 : Total : 8,600 4,900 5,900 : Honeydews : AZ : Oct-Dec 1,200 1,000 1,500 CA : Oct-Dec 1,600 1,900 2,000 : Total : 2,800 2,900 3,500 : Head Lettuce : CA : Oct-Dec 29,000 28,000 31,000 : Bell Peppers 1/ : FL : Oct-Dec 4,800 3,700 3,600 : Tomatoes : CA : Oct-Dec 10,000 11,500 11,500 FL : Sep-Dec 7,400 7,500 7,300 : Total : 17,400 19,000 18,800 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes fresh market and processing. Snap Beans: Fall fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 18,000 acres, up 1 percent from last year. In Florida, growers in the southern Peninsula began land preparation and planting in July. Land preparations in the Big Bend and central regions of the State, began in mid-August. However, by early September, some field work was delayed due to heavy rainfall. In New Jersey, lower than normal night time temperatures and excessive rainfall delayed harvest early in the season. However, late plantings benefitted from sufficient showers and near normal temperatures. Growing conditions were reported to be good during September. Broccoli: California's area for fall harvest is forecast at 25,500 acres, up 2 percent from 2008. Harvest of the fall crop is underway and the crop is reported to be in good condition. Cabbage: Fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 6,680 acres, up 34 percent from last year. In Georgia, growing conditions have been favorable for the fall season cabbage. In Florida, growers in the southern Peninsula began planting in July. Field preparation in the Big Bend and central regions were underway by mid-August. By early September field work was delayed by heavy rainfall. However, growers were able to get back on track by mid-September. In New Jersey, planting was ahead of schedule due to cool summer weather and sufficient rainfall. Harvest of the cabbage crop started in early September. Crop quality is reported to be good to excellent. In Texas, planting began earlier than normal and the crop is reported to be progressing very well. Cantaloups: Fall cantaloup area for harvest is forecast at 13,700 acres, up 19 percent from 2008. Arizona's harvest is expected to be in full swing by mid-October. In California, ideal temperatures boosted crop development. Carrots: Area for fresh market harvest is forecast at 16,800 acres, down 1 percent from last year. In California, harvest is underway in the Bakersfield area and the crop is reported to be in good condition. In Texas, hot and dry weather created challenges for irrigation and stand establishment of plants. However, timely rainfall and cool weather after the Labor Day holiday benefitted soil moisture. Cauliflower: Area for fall harvest in California is forecast at 8,400 acres, up 6 percent from last year. Harvest is underway with crop quality reported to be in good to excellent condition. Celery: California's fall area for harvest is forecast at 7,400 acres, up 6 percent from 2008. Growing conditions have been favorable for the fall celery crop. Sweet Corn: Fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 10,000 acres, up 6 percent from last year. The California crop is in good condition due to favorable weather during the summer and early fall. In Florida, land preparation and planting began in the southern Peninsula in July. By mid- August fields in the Big Bend and central regions were ready for planting. In early September, heavy rainfall delayed some fieldwork. However, by mid- September fields began to dry out allowing growers to proceed with planting. Cucumbers: Area for fall harvest is forecast at 5,900 acres, up 20 percent from 2008. In Florida, growing conditions have been favorable in the southern peninsula areas. Growers in South Carolina experienced a hot and dry growing season. In Texas, growing conditions were favorable due to rain and cool weather during mid-September. Honeydews: Fresh market area for fall harvest is forecast at 3,500 acres, up 21 percent from last year. Arizona's harvest of fall season honeydews is expected to be in full swing by mid-October. California's fall melon crop is progressing well due to ideal temperatures. Head Lettuce: California's area for fall harvest is forecast at 31,000 acres, up 11 percent from last year. Early planted lettuce fields have begun to emerge. Bell Peppers: Florida's fall area for harvest is forecast at 3,600 acres, down 3 percent from 2008. Planting was delayed in the Panhandle area due to excessive rainfall. Disease is a concern for young transplants due to wet fields. Tomatoes: Fresh market area for fall harvest is forecast at 18,800 acres, down 1 percent from 2008. In California, quality of fall tomatoes is good despite the summer heat wave. In Florida, acreage remains historically low due to competition from imports, lack of demand during the summer season, and high input costs. Onions: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Season, State, and United States, 2007-2008 and Forecasted 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area : Yield per Acre Season :----------------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For : : : State :-------------------: Harvest : 2007 : 2008 : 2009 : 2007 : 2008 : 2009 : : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- Acres ---------- --------- Cwt --------- : Spring : 30,200 28,400 27,000 327 338 349 Summer : Non-Storage : 20,200 19,400 17,700 545 533 599 : Storage : CA 1/ : 29,000 31,300 32,000 425 425 435 CO : 7,700 7,500 5,500 410 380 470 ID : 9,100 8,600 8,800 750 720 740 MI : 3,800 3,600 3,900 260 280 330 NY : 10,500 10,100 9,700 360 410 380 OR : Malheur : 12,600 12,200 12,000 780 710 720 Other : 10,300 9,600 9,600 620 620 700 WA : 22,500 20,000 19,000 610 600 630 WI : 2,100 1,100 2,000 370 300 500 : Oth Sts 2/ : 2,080 1,690 1,910 470 497 445 : Total : 109,680 105,690 104,410 536 523 548 : Summer : 129,880 125,090 122,110 537 525 555 : US : 160,080 153,490 149,110 497 490 518 :----------------------------------------------------------- : Production :----------------------------------------------------------- : 2007 : 2008 : 2009 :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Cwt : Spring : 9,870 9,603 9,428 Summer : Non-Storage : 10,999 10,344 10,608 : Storage : CA 1/ : 12,325 13,303 13,920 CO : 3,157 2,850 2,585 ID : 6,825 6,192 6,512 MI : 988 1,008 1,287 NY : 3,780 4,141 3,686 OR : Malheur : 9,828 8,662 8,640 Other : 6,386 5,952 6,720 WA : 13,725 12,000 11,970 WI : 777 330 1,000 : Oth Sts 2/ : 978 840 849 : Total : 58,769 55,278 57,169 : Summer : 69,768 65,622 67,777 : US : 79,638 75,225 77,205 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Primarily for dehydrated and other processing. 2/ OH and UT. Summer Storage Onion Production Up 3 Percent Summer storage onion production is forecast at 57.2 million hundredweight (cwt), up 3 percent from last year. Harvested area is forecast at 104,410 acres, down 1 percent from 2008. The yield, at 548 cwt per acre, is up 25 cwt from last year. In California, the storage onion crop is progressing well due to ideal temperatures. No major disease problems were reported. In Colorado, harvest was a week behind schedule due to wet fields. In Idaho, ideal temperatures during the growing season benefitted the onion crop. In Michigan, harvest began in mid-August and was in full swing by mid- September. In New York, excessive moisture resulted in some loss of acreage due to abandonment. Oregon onion harvest was complete by the last week of September. Wisconsin experienced a cool and dry growing season during the early part of the year, then slightly warmer conditions later in the season. ACCESS TO REPORTS!! 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