Vg 1-1 (10-06) Vegetables National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released October 4, 2006, 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 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. Fresh Vegetable Harvested Acreage Down 1 Percent The prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh market vegetables during the fall quarter is forecast at 159,700 acres, down 1 percent from last year. Acreage increased for cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, sweet corn, and cucumbers while acreage decreased for snap beans, broccoli, celery, head lettuce, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Area forecasted for fall melon harvest is 16,200 acres, up 3 percent from last year. Cantaloup harvested area is forecast at 12,500 acres, down 1 percent from 2005. Honeydew harvested area is forecast at 3,700 acres, up 19 percent from last fall. Summer Storage Onion Production Up Less Than 1 Percent Summer storage onion production is forecast at 50.3 million hundredweight, up less than 1 percent from last year. Storage onion harvested area is forecast at 109,650 acres, up 3 percent from 2005. California production, at 13.2 million hundredweight, is 12 percent above 2005. Harvested area is expected to be 31,500 acres, up 13 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 Honeydews. . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Lettuce, Head. . . . . . . . . . 7 Peppers, Bell. . . . . . . . . . 7 Tomatoes . . . . . . . . . . . . 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, 2004-2005 and Forecasted Area 2006 (Domestic Units) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Season :----------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For Crop :-----------------------------------: Harvest : 2004 : 2005 : 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Acres : Winter : 178,300 179,600 183,900 : Spring : 301,050 282,250 285,100 : Summer : 407,900 410,600 408,500 : Fall : Snap Beans : 18,000 18,200 17,500 Broccoli 1/ : 29,500 29,500 29,000 Cabbage : 6,000 6,500 6,800 Carrots : 13,500 16,200 16,700 Cauliflower 1/ : 8,000 8,600 8,900 Celery 1/ : 6,900 6,800 6,400 Sweet Corn : 9,100 9,000 9,700 Cucumbers : 7,700 6,800 7,600 Head Lettuce : 29,450 31,350 30,400 Bell Peppers 1/ : 5,100 5,400 4,600 Tomatoes : 23,000 22,500 22,100 : Total : 156,250 160,850 159,700 : Cantaloups : 8,500 12,600 12,500 Honeydew Melons : 3,200 3,100 3,700 : Total Melons : 11,700 15,700 16,200 : Total Fall Crop : 167,950 176,550 175,900 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes fresh market and processing. Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Season, and Crop, Major States, 2004-2005 and Forecasted Area 2006 (Metric Units) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Season :----------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For Crop :-----------------------------------: Harvest : 2004 : 2005 : 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Hectares : Winter : 72,160 72,680 74,420 : Spring : 121,830 114,220 115,380 : Summer : 165,070 166,170 165,320 : Fall : Snap Beans : 7,280 7,370 7,080 Broccoli 1/ : 11,940 11,940 11,740 Cabbage : 2,430 2,630 2,750 Carrots : 5,460 6,560 6,760 Cauliflower 1/ : 3,240 3,480 3,600 Celery 1/ : 2,790 2,750 2,590 Sweet Corn : 3,680 3,640 3,930 Cucumbers : 3,120 2,750 3,080 Head Lettuce : 11,920 12,690 12,300 Bell Peppers 1/ : 2,060 2,190 1,860 Tomatoes : 9,310 9,110 8,940 : Total 2/ : 63,230 65,090 64,630 : Cantaloups : 3,440 5,100 5,060 Honeydew Melons : 1,300 1,250 1,500 : Total Melons 2/ : 4,730 6,350 6,560 : Total Fall Crop 2/ : 67,970 71,450 71,180 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, 2004-2005 and Forecasted Area 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Area Crop : Usual :----------------------------------------- and : Harvest : Harvested : For State : Period :---------------------------: Harvest : : 2004 : 2005 : 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- Acres ------------- : Snap Beans : FL : Oct-Dec 9,800 10,000 9,500 GA : Oct-Dec 5,000 5,100 4,700 NJ : Sep-Oct 1,600 1,300 1,500 VA : Sep-Oct 1,600 1,800 1,800 : Total : 18,000 18,200 17,500 : Broccoli 1/ : CA : Oct-Dec 29,500 29,500 29,000 : Cabbage : FL : Oct-Dec 500 1,000 1,000 GA : Oct-Dec 4,800 4,800 4,900 NJ : Sep-Nov 500 500 600 TX : Sep-Nov 200 200 300 : Total : 6,000 6,500 6,800 : Cantaloups : AZ : Oct-Dec 5,200 8,000 7,500 CA : Oct-Dec 3,300 4,600 5,000 : Total : 8,500 12,600 12,500 : Carrots : CA : Oct-Dec 13,300 16,000 16,500 TX : Sep-Nov 200 200 200 : Total : 13,500 16,200 16,700 : Cauliflower 1/ : CA : Oct-Dec 8,000 8,600 8,900 : Celery 1/ : CA : Oct-Dec 6,900 6,800 6,400 : Sweet Corn : CA : Oct-Dec 4,300 4,200 4,600 FL : Oct-Dec 4,800 4,800 5,100 : Total : 9,100 9,000 9,700 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Crop, State, and Total, Fall Season, 2004-2005 and Forecasted Area 2006 (continued) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Area Crop : Usual :----------------------------------------- and : Harvest : Harvested : For State : Period :---------------------------: Harvest : : 2004 : 2005 : 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- Acres ------------- : Cucumbers : FL : Oct-Dec 4,600 4,600 4,700 SC : Oct-Dec 1,000 700 600 TX : Sep-Nov 1,200 400 1,400 VA : Sep-Oct 900 1,100 900 : Total : 7,700 6,800 7,600 : Honeydews : AZ : Oct-Dec 700 700 1,300 CA : Oct-Dec 2,500 2,400 2,400 : Total : 3,200 3,100 3,700 : Head Lettuce : CA : Oct-Dec 29,000 31,000 30,000 : Other States 2/ : 450 350 400 : Total : 29,450 31,350 30,400 : Bell Peppers 1/ : FL : Oct-Dec 4,900 4,900 4,500 TX : Sep-Nov 200 500 100 : Total : 5,100 5,400 4,600 : Tomatoes : CA : Oct-Dec 11,000 11,000 10,300 FL 3/ : Sep-Dec 12,000 11,500 11,800 : Total : 23,000 22,500 22,100 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes fresh market and processing. 2/ 2004 - AZ and NJ. 2005 - AZ and NJ. 2006 - AZ and NJ. 3/ 2005 revised. Snap Beans: Fall fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 17,500 acres, down 4 percent from last year and 3 percent below 2004. In Florida, during August and September, scattered showers delayed some planting over the central and southern Peninsula. However, crop progress was mostly on schedule. Warm weather boosted crop growth and development. In Georgia, rainfall during the last few weeks in September benefitted the crop. A few pest problems were reported. In New Jersey, dry conditions in late August combined with frequent heavy rains during mid-September had an adverse impact on harvest and crop development. Growing conditions had improved by late September. In Virginia, timely rains throughout the growing season benefitted the crop. Broccoli: California's area for fall harvest is forecast at 29,000 acres, down 2 percent from both last year and 2004. Conditions have been favorable for crop development and growth. The crop was planted under good conditions with no major pests or disease problems reported. Cabbage: Fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 6,800 acres, up 5 percent from last year and 13 percent above 2004. Georgia received rainfall during September which helped benefit the crop. In Florida, during August and September, scattered showers delayed some planting over the central and southern Peninsula. However, most of the crop is reported to be on schedule. Warm temperatures boosted crop growth and development. Growers in New Jersey reported some plant losses due to heavy rains in mid-September. However, growing conditions are currently favorable. Texas conditions have been good for fall vegetables due to cool nights and heavy irrigation. Cantaloups: Fall cantaloup area for harvest is forecast at 12,500 acres, down 1 percent from 2005 but 47 percent above two years ago. Arizona's harvest is behind schedule due to cool nights. Harvest is expected to begin by late September in central Arizona, and by early October in western Arizona. California's fall melons are progressing well, however, growers have been struggling with whitefly infestation. Carrots: Area for fresh market harvest is forecast at 16,700 acres, up 3 percent from last year and 24 percent above 2004. In California, cool temperatures this fall are providing excellent growing conditions. In Texas, cool nights and heavy irrigation have benefitted the crop. Cauliflower: Area for fall harvest in California is forecast at 8,900 acres, up 3 percent from last year and 11 percent above 2004. Seasonal weather allowed the fall crop to have near normal development. Quality is reported to be good. Celery: California's fall area for harvest is forecast at 6,400 acres, down 6 percent from 2005 and 7 percent below 2004. The fall celery crop is reported to be in good condition in the central California coastal areas. However, hot weather in July negatively impacted the summer celery crop in Salinas which resulted in lower production in September. Sweet Corn: Fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 9,700 acres, up 8 percent from last year and 7 percent above 2004. California's crop is in good condition with no insect or disease problems reported. In Florida, rainfall delayed some planting in the southern Peninsula during August and September. However, most plantings are on schedule. Cucumbers: Area for fall harvest is forecast at 7,600 acres, up 12 percent from last year but 1 percent lower than 2004. 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. Crop progress in now on schedule. In Texas, recent rains and cooler night time temperatures improved conditions for fall vegetables. In Virginia, dry weather conditions during the planting season discouraged some producers from planting. These same dry conditions continued during the growing season and hindered crop development. Honeydews: Fresh market area for fall harvest is forecast at 3,700 acres, up 19 percent from last year and 16 percent above 2004. California's fall melon crop is progressing well. However, growers have been struggling with whitefly infestation and hope yields will not be affected. Arizona's melon harvest got a late start this season due to unseasonable cool night time temperatures. Harvest is expected to begin in central and western Arizona the week of October 1. Head Lettuce: Area for fall harvest is forecast at 30,400 acres, down 3 percent from last year but 3 percent above two years ago. In California, fall lettuce fields were in various stages of planting. Fields were also being cultivated, irrigated, fertilized, and treated to control insects. Harvest is expected to transition from the Salinas growing district to the Central San Joaquin Valley by mid-October. Bell Peppers: Fall area for harvest is forecast at 4,600 acres, down 15 percent from 2005 and 10 percent below 2004. In Florida, field work was interrupted by rainfall during late August through mid-September. However, field activities were able to progress with fall harvest expected to begin on schedule. Tomatoes: Fresh market area for fall harvest is forecast at 22,100 acres, down 2 percent from 2005 and 4 percent below 2004. In California, July's heat shortened the transplanting season resulting in less acreage. Unseasonable rains produced by Hurricane John delayed field preparation and planting. In Florida, picking in the Quincy area is expected to begin the first week of October. Scattered showers in the southern Peninsula areas during August and September delayed some fall planting. Onions: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Season, State, and United States, 2004-2005 and Forecasted 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area : Yield per Acre Season :----------------------------------------------------------- and : Harvested : For : : : State :-------------------: Harvest : 2004 : 2005 : 2006 : 2004 : 2005 : 2006 : : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- Acres ---------- --------- Cwt --------- : Spring : 35,700 35,300 34,500 337 318 386 Summer : Non-Storage : 23,200 19,800 21,000 521 563 517 : Storage : CA 1/ : 30,000 27,800 31,500 440 425 420 CO : 11,000 9,500 9,700 500 440 440 ID : 10,400 9,500 9,500 770 640 575 MI : 3,200 2,900 2,600 290 260 230 NY : 13,000 13,600 13,000 400 280 320 OR : Malheur : 11,100 11,500 12,000 780 640 500 Other : 7,400 7,800 7,400 570 360 420 UT 2/ : 1,500 520 WA : 20,000 19,500 20,000 580 600 600 WI : 1,900 2,000 2,000 320 330 310 : Oth Sts 3/ : 550 1,920 1,950 324 453 429 : Total : 110,050 106,020 109,650 535 472 459 : Summer : 133,250 125,820 130,650 533 486 468 : US : 168,950 161,120 165,150 491 449 451 :----------------------------------------------------------- : Production :----------------------------------------------------------- : 2004 : 2005 : 2006 :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Cwt : Spring : 12,031 11,243 13,330 Summer : Non-Storage : 12,098 11,140 10,853 : Storage : CA 1/ : 13,200 11,815 13,230 CO : 5,500 4,180 4,268 ID : 8,008 6,080 5,463 MI : 928 754 598 NY : 5,200 3,808 4,160 OR : Malheur : 8,658 7,360 6,000 Other : 4,218 2,808 3,108 UT 2/ : 780 WA : 11,600 11,700 12,000 WI : 608 660 620 : Oth Sts 3/ : 178 869 837 : Total : 58,878 50,034 50,284 : Summer : 70,976 61,174 61,137 : US : 83,007 72,417 74,467 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Primarily for dehydrated and other processing. 2/ 2005 data not published to avoid disclosure of individual operations. 3/ 2004 - MN and OH. 2005 - OH and UT. 2006 - OH and UT. Summer Storage Onion Production Up Less Than 1 Percent Summer storage onion production is forecast at 50.3 million hundredweight (cwt), virtually unchanged from last year. Harvested area is forecast at 109,650 acres, up 3 percent from 2005. The yield, at 459 cwt per acre, is down 13 cwt from last year. Planting of California's storage onion crop was delayed due to rainfall. After planting, early mild temperatures and timely rains helped the crop to progress well. Some mildew problems were reported due to wet conditions. July's high heat reduced some yields. In Colorado, the crop experienced hot and dry conditions throughout the season. Damage from thrips was reported towards the end of the growing season, but it seems that it was late enough that the yields weren't affected. Idaho's yield and production are below last year due to late planting, extreme heat, and disease pressure. In Michigan, the onion crop is in fair condition. The start of harvest was delayed due to rainy weather. No major problems have been reported. New York received excessive rains and heat in all onion growing areas of the State. This resulted in loss of acreage and lower onion quality. Malheur and Other Oregon producers report that yields are low due to an extremely wet spring coupled with hot temperatures in July and yellow spot virus. Harvest is expected to be complete in Malheur County by October 25th. Other areas of the State will be completed by October 8th. In Washington, a wet spring followed by a very hot summer contributed to less than optimal growing conditions for onions. Wisconsin's hot and dry conditions contributed to lower yields this year. 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. For access, connect to the Internet and go to the NASS Home Page at: www.nass.usda.gov. 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