Vg 1-1 (10-07) Vegetables National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released October 4, 2007, 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 Down 7 Percent Summer Storage Onion Production Up 5 Percent The prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh market vegetables during the fall quarter is forecast at 154,300 acres, up 5 percent from last year. Acreage increased from last year for snap beans, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, sweet corn, and bell peppers while acreage declined for broccoli, cucumbers, head lettuce, and tomatoes. Area harvested for celery remains unchanged. Area forecasted for fall melon harvest is 15,200 acres, down 7 percent from last year. Cantaloup harvested area is forecast at 12,000 acres, down 6 percent from 2006. Honeydew harvested area is forecast at 3,200 acres, down 14 percent from last fall. Summer storage onion production is forecast at 54.1 million hundredweight, up 5 percent from last year. Storage onion harvested area is forecast at 105,680 acres, down 4 percent from 2006. California production, at 12.8 million hundredweight, is 6 percent below 2006. Harvested area is expected to total 29,700 acres, down 7 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, 2005-2006 and Forecasted Area 2007 (Domestic Units) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Season :----------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For Crop :-----------------------------------: Harvest : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Acres : Winter : 183,900 179,200 179,200 : Spring : 282,900 282,800 274,600 : Summer : 408,000 416,500 420,400 : Fall : Snap Beans : 18,200 13,100 19,200 Broccoli 1/ : 30,000 30,000 28,000 Cabbage : 6,500 6,600 6,700 Carrots : 16,200 15,200 20,200 Cauliflower 1/ : 9,000 9,500 9,700 Celery 1/ : 6,700 6,400 6,400 Sweet Corn : 9,000 6,200 8,300 Cucumbers : 6,800 6,300 5,500 Head Lettuce : 30,300 30,100 28,300 Bell Peppers 1/ : 5,400 3,000 4,400 Tomatoes : 22,000 21,000 17,600 : Total : 160,100 147,400 154,300 : Cantaloups : 12,300 12,700 12,000 Honeydew Melons : 3,100 3,700 3,200 : Total Melons : 15,400 16,400 15,200 : Total Fall Crop : 175,500 163,800 169,500 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes fresh market and processing. Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Season and Crop, Major States, 2005-2006 and Forecasted Area 2007 (Metric Units) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Season :----------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For Crop :-----------------------------------: Harvest : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Hectares : Winter : 74,420 72,520 72,520 : Spring : 114,490 114,450 111,130 : Summer : 165,110 168,550 170,130 : Fall : Snap Beans : 7,370 5,300 7,770 Broccoli 1/ : 12,140 12,140 11,330 Cabbage : 2,630 2,670 2,710 Carrots : 6,560 6,150 8,170 Cauliflower 1/ : 3,640 3,840 3,930 Celery 1/ : 2,710 2,590 2,590 Sweet Corn : 3,640 2,510 3,360 Cucumbers : 2,750 2,550 2,230 Head Lettuce : 12,260 12,180 11,450 Bell Peppers 1/ : 2,190 1,210 1,780 Tomatoes : 8,900 8,500 7,120 : Total 2/ : 64,790 59,650 62,440 : Cantaloups : 4,980 5,140 4,860 Honeydew Melons : 1,250 1,500 1,300 : Total Melons 2/ : 6,230 6,640 6,150 : Total Fall Crop 2/ : 71,020 66,290 68,590 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, 2005-2006 and Forecasted Area 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Area Crop : Usual :----------------------------------------- and : Harvest : Harvested : For State : Period :---------------------------: Harvest : : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- Acres ------------- : Snap Beans : FL : Oct-Dec 10,000 4,500 10,300 GA : Oct-Dec 5,100 5,600 5,600 NJ : Sep-Oct 1,300 1,200 1,500 VA : Sep-Oct 1,800 1,800 1,800 : Total : 18,200 13,100 19,200 : Broccoli 1/ : CA : Oct-Dec 30,000 30,000 28,000 : Cabbage : FL : Oct-Dec 1,000 900 900 GA : Oct-Dec 4,800 5,100 4,900 NJ : Sep-Nov 500 400 700 TX : Sep-Nov 200 200 200 : Total : 6,500 6,600 6,700 : Cantaloups : AZ : Oct-Dec 9,000 8,400 8,000 CA : Oct-Dec 3,300 4,300 4,000 : Total : 12,300 12,700 12,000 : Carrots : CA : Oct-Dec 16,000 15,000 20,000 TX : Oct-Dec 200 200 200 : Total : 16,200 15,200 20,200 : Cauliflower 1/ : CA : Oct-Dec 9,000 9,500 9,700 : Celery 1/ : CA : Oct-Dec 6,700 6,400 6,400 : Sweet Corn : CA : Oct-Dec 4,200 4,500 4,100 FL : Sep-Dec 4,800 1,700 4,200 : Total : 9,000 6,200 8,300 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Crop, State, and Total, Fall Season, 2005-2006 and Forecasted Area 2007 (continued) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Area Crop : Usual :----------------------------------------- and : Harvest : Harvested : For State : Period :---------------------------: Harvest : : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- Acres ------------- : Cucumbers : FL : Oct-Dec 4,600 4,000 3,200 SC : Oct-Dec 700 700 700 TX : Sep-Nov 400 700 700 VA : Sep-Oct 1,100 900 900 : Total : 6,800 6,300 5,500 : Honeydews : AZ : Oct-Dec 700 1,300 1,000 CA : Oct-Dec 2,400 2,400 2,200 : Total : 3,100 3,700 3,200 : Head Lettuce : CA : Oct-Dec 30,000 30,000 28,000 NJ : Sep-Nov 100 300 : Oth Sts 2/ : 300 : Total : 30,300 30,100 28,300 : Bell Peppers 1/ : FL : Oct-Dec 4,900 2,900 4,400 TX 3/ : 500 100 : Total : 5,400 3,000 4,400 : Tomatoes : CA : Oct-Dec 10,000 11,000 10,200 FL : Sep-Dec 12,000 10,000 7,400 : Total : 22,000 21,000 17,600 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes fresh market and processing. 2/ 2005 - AZ and NJ. 3/ Estimates discontinued in 2007. Snap Beans: Fall fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 19,200 acres, up 47 percent from last year. In Florida, dry weather during August and September allowed land preparation to progress on schedule. Planting began in Washington County around mid-August, and in the central and southern areas of the State in September. Some growers delayed planting until high soil temperatures cooled to avoid germination problems. In Georgia, soil moisture supplies are mostly short to very short. Drought conditions that have existed since early spring have been somewhat alleviated by recent rainfall. In New Jersey, topsoil moisture supplies were short in August and irrigation was necessary in the South Jersey area. Rainfall in late August relieved some crop stress. Growing conditions improved in late September with near normal temperatures. In Virginia, dry conditions have had an adverse effect on the quality of the crop. Broccoli: California's area for fall harvest is forecast at 28,000 acres, down 7 percent from 2006. The broccoli crop was reported to be in good condition with no major pests or disease problems. Cabbage: Fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 6,700 acres, up 2 percent from last year. Recent rainfall in Georgia has helped to somewhat alleviate drought conditions that have existed since early spring. In Florida, scattered showers during August and September delayed some planting in the central and southern Peninsula, however, crop progress is mostly on schedule. Warm temperatures boosted crop growth and development. In New Jersey, harvest of the cabbage crop started in mid-September. The quality of the crop is reported to be good. In Texas, conditions have been good with few insect problems reported. Cantaloups: Fall cantaloup area for harvest is forecast at 12,000 acres, down 6 percent from 2006. Arizona's harvest is expected to begin around mid-October. In California, ideal temperatures in the Central Valley area benefitted the melon crop. Growers reported that melons are sweeter this year than in the past few years. Carrots: Area for fresh market harvest is forecast at 20,200 acres, up 33 percent from last year. In California, baby carrots are still in high demand. The crop is reported to be in good condition with no unusual disease or insect problems. In Texas, planting was delayed due to excessive rainfall. Cauliflower: Area for fall harvest in California is forecast at 9,700 acres, up 2 percent from last year. The cauliflower crop is in good condition with no disease or insect problems reported. Celery: California's fall area for harvest is forecast at 6,400 acres, unchanged from 2006. Growing conditions have been favorable for the early fall celery crop. No disease or pest problems have been reported. Sweet Corn: Fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 8,300 acres, up 34 percent from last year. The California crop is in good condition due to favorable weather. In Florida, planting was on schedule during August and September in the southern Peninsula, with minor delays reported due to rainfall. Warm and moist conditions encouraged good germination in virtually all fields. Cucumbers: Area for fall harvest is forecast at 5,500 acres, down 13 percent from 2006. In Florida, scattered showers during August and September delayed some planting over the central and southern Peninsula areas. However, warm temperatures after planting boosted plant growth and development. Downy mildew was reported in portions of South Carolina and Texas. Growers in Virginia have experienced an extremely dry growing season. Honeydews: Fresh market area for fall harvest is forecast at 3,200 acres, down 14 percent from last year. California's fall melon crop is progressing well due to ideal temperatures. Head Lettuce: Area for fall harvest is forecast at 28,300 acres, down 6 percent from last year. In California, early planted lettuce fields have begun to emerge. Water shortages in the San Joaquin Valley resulted in a reduction of planted acreage. Fall harvest is expected to begin around mid-October. In New Jersey, prospects for the lettuce crop are good despite dry conditions. Bell Peppers: Fall area for harvest is forecast at 4,400 acres, up 47 percent from 2006. In Florida, fieldwork was delayed by scattered rains during late August and mid-September. However, dry conditions still prevail in Palm Beach and Collier Counties. Tomatoes: Fresh market area for fall harvest is forecast at 17,600 acres, down 16 percent from 2006. In California, ideal early season weather produced plentiful supplies of fall season tomatoes. However, cooler than average daytime temperatures in August slowed ripening in some fields, followed by heat issues in late August. In Florida, scattered showers in the southern Peninsula areas during August and September delayed some fall planting. Picking in the Quincy area began the last week of September. Onions: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Season, State, and United States, 2005-2006 and Forecasted 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area : Yield per Acre Season :----------------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For : : : State :-------------------: Harvest : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 : : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- Acres ---------- --------- Cwt --------- : Spring : 36,000 34,600 31,300 322 322 348 Summer : Non-Storage : 20,400 19,900 19,900 562 531 546 : Storage : CA 1/ : 30,600 31,800 29,700 400 425 430 CO : 9,500 9,500 7,700 440 400 375 ID : 9,500 9,400 9,200 640 540 720 MI : 2,900 2,600 2,500 260 250 270 NY : 13,600 12,800 11,400 280 330 350 OR : Malheur : 11,500 11,700 11,900 640 520 700 Other : 7,800 8,400 8,500 360 550 530 WA : 19,500 20,000 21,000 600 600 610 WI : 2,000 1,900 1,700 330 300 340 : Oth Sts 2/ : 1,920 2,180 2,080 453 378 449 : Total : 108,820 110,280 105,680 464 466 512 : Summer : 129,220 130,180 125,580 479 476 517 : US : 165,220 164,780 156,880 445 443 483 :----------------------------------------------------------- : Production :----------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2007 :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Cwt : Spring : 11,575 11,128 10,880 Summer : Non-Storage : 11,470 10,562 10,863 : Storage : CA 1/ : 12,240 13,515 12,771 CO : 4,180 3,800 2,888 ID : 6,080 5,076 6,624 MI : 754 650 675 NY : 3,808 4,224 3,990 OR : Malheur : 7,360 6,084 8,330 Other : 2,808 4,620 4,505 WA : 11,700 12,000 12,810 WI : 660 570 578 : Oth Sts 2/ : 869 825 934 : Total : 50,459 51,364 54,105 : Summer : 61,929 61,926 64,968 : US : 73,504 73,054 75,848 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Primarily for dehydrated and other processing. 2/ 2005 - MN and OH. 2006 - OH and UT. 2007 - OH and UT. Summer Storage Onion Production Up 5 Percent Summer storage onion production is forecast at 54.1 million hundredweight (cwt), up 5 percent from last year. Harvested area is forecast at 105,680 acres, down 4 percent from 2006. The yield, at 512 cwt per acre, is up 46 cwt from last year. Planting of California's storage onion crop was on schedule despite some delays due to rainfall. After planting, early mild temperatures and timely rainfall helped the crop to progress well initially. However, cool temperatures in the San Joaquin region slowed crop development, delaying harvest up to several weeks. No major disease problems were reported. In Colorado, restrictions on irrigation water and labor shortages led to lower acreage this year. Hail damage and disease outbreaks during the season further reduced acreage and negatively impacted yield. In Idaho, growing conditions have been favorable. In Michigan, the onion crop has been in excellent condition this season. Harvest began on schedule in August. Late season plantings benefitted from timely rainfall during August. However, early planted onions were smaller in size due to drought conditions in June and July. No major problems have been reported. New York received sufficient rainfall in the eastern and central areas of the State. However, the western region received very little rainfall which resulted in some loss of acreage due to abandonment. Malheur and Other Oregon producers expect higher yields this season due to less damage from thrip and the yellow spot virus. In Washington, harvest is underway and quality of the storage onion crop is reported to be very good. Wisconsin experienced hot and dry conditions during the early part of the year, then too much moisture later in the season. ACCESS TO REPORTS!! For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports, data products, and services: INTERNET ACCESS All NASS reports are available free of charge on the worldwide Internet. 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USDA Data Users' Meeting October 29, 2007 Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Rosemont, Illinois (847) 671-6350 The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service will be organizing an open forum for data users. The purpose will be to provide updates on pending changes in the various statistical and information programs and seek comments and input from data users. Other USDA agencies to be represented will include the Agricultural Marketing Service, the Economic Research Service, the Foreign Agricultural Service, and World Agricultural Outlook Board. The Foreign Trade Division from the Census Bureau will also be included in the meeting. For registration details or additional information for the Data Users' Meeting, see the NASS homepage at www.nass.usda.gov/forum/ or contact Marjorie Taylor (NASS) at (202) 690-8141 or at marjorie_taylor@nass.usda.gov. This Data Users' Meeting precedes an Industry Outlook meeting that will be held at the same location on October 30, 2007. 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