Vegetables ISSN: 1931-2857 Released October 1, 2010, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Fall Season Fresh Vegetable Harvested Area Down 1 Percent Fall Season Melon Harvested Area Up 1 Percent Summer Storage Onion Production Down 5 Percent The prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh market vegetables during the fall quarter is forecast at 150,160 acres, down 1 percent from last year. Acreage declined from last year for snap beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, and tomatoes while acreage increased for cauliflower, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, head lettuce, and bell peppers. Area forecasted for fall melon harvest is 17,600 acres, up 1 percent from last year. Cantaloup harvested area is forecast at 14,000 acres, up 1 percent from 2009. Honeydew harvested area is forecast at 3,600 acres, unchanged from last fall. Summer storage onion production is forecast at 54.7 million hundredweight, down 5 percent from last year. Storage onion harvested area is forecast at 104,470 acres, down 1 percent from 2009. California production, at 13.1 million hundredweight, is 9 percent below 2009. Harvested area is expected to total 29,000 acres, down 8 percent from last year. Contents United States 2010 Fall Season Fresh Market Vegetables........................................................ 3 United States 2010 Fall Season Fresh Market Melons............................................................ 3 Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons Area Harvested by Season and Crop - United States: 2008, 2009, and Forecasted Area 2010 (Domestic Units)..................................................................... 4 Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons Area Harvested by Season and Crop - United States: 2008, 2009, and Forecasted Area 2010 (Metric Units)....................................................................... 5 Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons Area Harvested by Crop - States and United States: Fall Season 2008, 2009, and Forecasted Area 2010.......................................................................... 6 Fresh Market Crop Comments.................................................................................... 8 Onion Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Season - States and United States: 2008, 2009, and Forecasted 2010............................................................................................... 9 Storage Onion Production - United States...................................................................... 10 Summer Storage Onion Narrative................................................................................ 10 Statistical Methodology....................................................................................... 11 Information Contacts.......................................................................................... 11 Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons Area Harvested by Season and Crop - United States: 2008, 2009, and Forecasted Area 2010 (Domestic Units) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Harvested Season and crop :----------------------------------------------------- : 2008 : 2009 : 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : acres : Winter ...................: 160,030 154,120 157,300 : Spring ...................: 269,590 266,460 273,150 : Summer ...................: 354,900 350,900 356,000 : Fall vegetables : Snap beans .............: 17,800 17,900 17,000 Broccoli 1/ ............: 25,000 26,000 25,100 Cabbage ................: 4,970 6,280 4,760 Carrots ................: 17,000 16,800 16,600 Cauliflower 1/ .........: 7,900 8,400 8,500 Celery 1/ ..............: 7,000 7,400 7,500 Sweet corn .............: 9,400 10,000 10,400 Cucumbers ..............: 4,900 5,200 5,500 Head lettuce ...........: 28,000 32,000 32,500 Bell peppers 1/ ........: 3,700 3,600 4,000 Tomatoes ...............: 18,900 18,800 18,300 : Total vegetables .......: 144,570 152,380 150,160 : Fall melons : Cantaloups .............: 11,500 13,800 14,000 Honeydew melons ........: 3,300 3,600 3,600 : Total melons ...........: 14,800 17,400 17,600 : Total fall crop ..........: 159,370 169,780 167,760 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes fresh market and processing. Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons Area Harvested by Season and Crop - United States: 2008, 2009, and Forecasted Area 2010 (Metric Units) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Harvested Season and crop :----------------------------------------------------- : 2008 : 2009 : 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : hectares : Winter ...................: 64,760 62,370 63,660 : Spring ...................: 109,100 107,830 110,540 : Summer ...................: 143,620 142,010 144,070 : Fall vegetables : Snap beans .............: 7,200 7,240 6,880 Broccoli 1/ ............: 10,120 10,520 10,160 Cabbage ................: 2,010 2,540 1,930 Carrots ................: 6,880 6,800 6,720 Cauliflower 1/ .........: 3,200 3,400 3,440 Celery 1/ ..............: 2,830 2,990 3,040 Sweet corn .............: 3,800 4,050 4,210 Cucumbers ..............: 1,980 2,100 2,230 Head lettuce ...........: 11,330 12,950 13,150 Bell peppers 1/ ........: 1,500 1,460 1,620 Tomatoes ...............: 7,650 7,610 7,410 : Total vegetables 2/ ....: 58,510 61,670 60,770 : Fall melons : Cantaloups .............: 4,650 5,580 5,670 Honeydew melons ........: 1,340 1,460 1,460 : Total melons 2/ ........: 5,990 7,040 7,120 : Total fall crop 2/ .......: 64,500 68,710 67,890 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes fresh market and processing. 2/ Totals may not add due to rounding. Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons Area Harvested by Crop - States and United States: Fall Season 2008, 2009, and Forecasted Area 2010 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Usual : Harvested Crop and State : harvest :----------------------------------------- : period : 2008 : 2009 : 2010 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- acres ------------- : Snap beans : Florida ...............: October-December 8,500 9,200 10,200 Georgia ...............: October-December 5,500 5,300 3,400 New Jersey ............: September-October 1,000 1,200 1,100 Virginia ..............: September-October 2,800 2,200 2,300 : United States .........: 17,800 17,900 17,000 : Broccoli 1/ : California ............: October-December 25,000 26,000 25,100 : Cabbage : Florida ...............: October-December 1,200 1,700 1,500 Georgia ...............: October-December 3,000 3,700 2,400 New Jersey ............:September-November 600 700 700 Texas .................:September-November 170 180 160 : United States .........: 4,970 6,280 4,760 : Cantaloups : Arizona ...............: October-December 7,500 9,800 9,500 California ............: October-December 4,000 4,000 4,500 : United States .........: 11,500 13,800 14,000 : Carrots : California ............: October-December 16,900 16,700 16,500 Texas .................: October-December 100 100 100 : United States .........: 17,000 16,800 16,600 : Cauliflower 1/ : California ............: October-December 7,900 8,400 8,500 : Celery 1/ : California ............: October-December 7,000 7,400 7,500 : Sweet corn : California ............: October-December 3,900 3,900 4,400 Florida ...............:September-December 5,500 6,100 6,000 : United States .........: 9,400 10,000 10,400 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons Area Harvested by Crop - States and United States: Fall Season 2008, 2009, and Forecasted Area 2010 (continued) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Usual : Harvested Crop and State : harvest :----------------------------------------- : period : 2008 : 2009 : 2010 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- acres ------------- : Cucumbers : Florida ...............: October-December 3,300 3,300 3,500 South Carolina ........: October-December 600 700 800 Texas .................:September-November 600 800 800 Virginia ..............: September-October 400 400 400 : United States .........: 4,900 5,200 5,500 : Honeydews : Arizona ...............: October-December 1,400 1,600 1,300 California ............: October-December 1,900 2,000 2,300 : United States .........: 3,300 3,600 3,600 : Head lettuce : California ............: October-December 28,000 32,000 32,500 : Bell peppers 1/ : Florida ...............: October-December 3,700 3,600 4,000 : Tomatoes : California ............: October-December 11,500 11,500 12,300 Florida ...............: October-December 7,400 7,300 6,000 : United States .........: 18,900 18,800 18,300 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes fresh market and processing. Fresh Market Crop Comments Snap beans: Fall fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 17,000 acres, down 5 percent from last year. In Florida, wet soil and standing water delayed land preparation. However, planting of the fall crop was underway by mid-September. New Jersey growers experienced a hot and dry growing season. Broccoli: California's area for fall harvest is forecast at 25,100 acres, down 3 percent from 2009. Broccoli growers experienced a hot and dry growing season. Cabbage: Fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 4,760 acres, down 24 percent from last year. In Texas, plantings in the Winter Garden area experienced insufficient rainfall, high temperatures, and whitefly infestation during the early fall season. In New Jersey, planting was on schedule. However, irrigation was necessary due to high temperatures and lack of rain. Harvest of the cabbage crop began in early September. In Florida, planting of the fall season cabbage is expected to begin in October. Cantaloups: Fall cantaloup area for harvest is forecast at 14,000 acres, up 1 percent from 2009. Arizona's harvest is expected to be in full swing by mid-October. In California, ideal temperatures during the growing season boosted crop quality. Carrots: Area for fresh market harvest is forecast at 16,600 acres, down 1 percent from last year. In California, harvest is underway in the Bakersfield area and crop quality is reported to be good. In Texas, production is down due to reduced plantings. Cauliflower: Area for fall harvest in California is forecast at 8,500 acres, up 1 percent from last year. Firm market prices were reported. Cool temperatures during September delayed plant growth. Celery: California's fall area for harvest is forecast at 7,500 acres, up 1 percent from 2009. Harvest is still underway in the Salinas and Santa Maria growing areas. Sizing is reported to be good for the fall celery crop. Sweet corn: Fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 10,400 acres, up 4 percent from last year. The California crop is in good condition due to favorable weather during the summer season. No pest or disease problems have been reported. In Florida, land preparation and planting began in early August. Growing conditions were favorable for the sweet corn crop. Fall harvesting is expected to begin on schedule. Cucumbers: Area for fall harvest is forecast at 5,500 acres, up 6 percent from 2009. In Florida, vegetable planting was in full swing by mid-September. Honeydews: Fresh market area for fall harvest is forecast at 3,600 acres, unchanged from last year. Arizona's harvest of fall season honeydews is expected to be in full swing by mid-October. California's land preparation and planting is underway in the San Joaquin Valley. Head lettuce: California's area for fall harvest is forecast at 32,500 acres, up 2 percent from last year. Production is underway in the Salinas Valley with crop quality reported as good. Bell peppers: Florida's fall area for harvest is forecast at 4,000 acres, up 11 percent from 2009. Favorable growing conditions were reported from August through September for the bell pepper crop. Fall harvest is expected to begin on schedule. Tomatoes: Fresh market area for fall harvest is forecast at 18,300 acres, down 3 percent from 2009. In California, planting was delayed due to cool and wet weather. Harvest began a week later than normal. In Florida, land preparation and planting began in the northern part of the State in July. However, whitefly infestation created challenges for fall tomato growers. Onion Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Season - States and United States: 2008, 2009, and Forecasted 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area harvested : Yield per acre Season and State :----------------------------------------------------------- : 2008 : 2009 : 2010 : 2008 : 2009 : 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- acres ---------- --------- cwt --------- : Spring .............: 28,400 27,200 25,900 334 315 296 : Summer : Non-storage ......: 19,400 17,400 17,900 533 551 534 : Storage ..........: California 1/ ..: 31,300 31,400 29,000 425 455 450 Colorado .......: 7,500 6,600 6,900 380 410 390 Idaho ..........: 8,600 8,800 9,000 720 740 750 Michigan .......: 3,600 3,800 4,100 280 350 235 New York .......: 10,100 10,300 10,200 410 415 360 Oregon : Malheur .......: 12,200 11,200 11,100 710 700 680 Other .........: 9,600 9,100 8,900 620 600 610 Washington .....: 20,000 21,000 22,000 600 630 610 Wisconsin ......: 1,100 2,000 1,800 300 500 260 : Other States 2/ : 1,690 1,860 1,470 497 416 479 : Total storage ....: 105,690 106,060 104,470 523 541 524 : Total summer .......: 125,090 123,460 122,370 525 543 525 : Total all onions ...: 153,490 150,660 148,270 489 502 485 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Production Season and State :----------------------------------------------------------- : 2008 : 2009 : 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 cwt : Spring .............: 9,498 8,559 7,656 : Summer .............: Non-storage ......: 10,344 9,584 9,550 : Storage ..........: California 1/ ..: 13,303 14,287 13,050 Colorado .......: 2,850 2,706 2,691 Idaho ..........: 6,192 6,512 6,750 Michigan .......: 1,008 1,330 964 New York .......: 4,141 4,275 3,672 Oregon : Malheur .......: 8,662 7,840 7,548 Other .........: 5,952 5,460 5,429 Washington .....: 12,000 13,230 13,420 Wisconsin ......: 330 1,000 468 : Other States 2/ : 840 774 704 : Total storage ....: 55,278 57,414 54,696 : Total summer .......: 65,622 66,998 64,246 : Total all onions ...: 75,120 75,557 71,902 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Primarily for dehydrated and other processing. 2/ Other States include Ohio and Utah. Summer Storage Onion Production Down 5 Percent Summer storage onion production is forecast at 54.7 million hundredweight (cwt), down 5 percent from last year. Harvested area is forecast at 104,470 acres, down 1 percent from 2009. The yield, at 524 cwt per acre, is down 17 cwt from last year. In California, harvest was behind schedule due to cool and wet weather during the growing season. Colorado growers reported some hail damage during the growing season. In Idaho, onion harvest was two weeks behind schedule due to a late wet spring and mild summer conditions. In Michigan, onion fields began to emerge during early May. As of June 1st, onions were progressing well despite some frost damage reported during the early part of May. New York onion grower's fields experienced excessive moisture during the early part of the year, then drier conditions later in the season. Oregon onion growers reported a cool and wet spring. Washington's harvest was two weeks behind schedule due wet conditions during the growing season. Wisconsin onion growers reported poor growing conditions due to excessive rainfall throughout the State. Statistical Methodology Survey Procedures: Acreage and production information included in this report are collected six times during the year. Acreage forecasts are obtained on a quarterly basis for fresh market and processing vegetables. For fresh market vegetables, growers are surveyed seasonally for estimates of crops such as onions and strawberries. Producers growing multiple fresh market crops are surveyed at seasonal intervals in major producing States for the remaining vegetable crops in the program. Data are collected by telephone interviews, mail out, faxed questionnaires, and personal interviews. Data accuracy and reducing respondent burden are taken into account in conducting the surveys. The most desirable survey method is to do a complete enumeration of growers. When this is not possible, a mail inquiry, sent to a sample of growers, is conducted. Due to the variable nature of the vegetable industry, mail lists are frequently updated to ensure complete coverage. Summary and Estimation Procedures: The vegetable surveys collect data in the major producing States for each respective commodity. States with a small number of growers survey all known commercial producers of vegetable commodities. States with a large number of producers contact a sample of growers to get production data. Sampling may still result in a census for some vegetables. Revision Policy: Quarterly vegetables reports are released by season (winter in January, spring in April, summer in July, and fall in October) and they are not subject to revisions. At the end of the calendar year, all producers have the opportunity to update or provide any additional data corresponding to any of the weeks for the current and previous year. After these data are incorporated with previously reported data, revised seasonal estimates are published in the Vegetables Annual Summary. Reliability: The vegetable survey is subject to non-sampling errors such as omission, duplication, imputation for missing data, and mistakes in reporting, recording, and processing the data. These errors cannot be measured directly, but are minimized through rigid quality controls in the data collection process and a careful review of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness. Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity statisticians in the Crops Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@nass.usda.gov Lance Honig, Chief, Crops Branch............................................. (202) 720-2127 Jorge Garcia-Pratts, Head, Fruits, Vegetables and Special Crops Section...... (202) 720-2127 Debbie Flippin - Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions, Strawberries.. (202) 720-2157 Fred Granja - Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Plums, Prunes, Tobacco ....... (202) 720-4288 Dawn Keen - Floriculture, Maple Syrup, Nursery, Tree Nuts .............. (202) 720-4215 Steve Maliszewski - Citrus, Coffee, Grapes, Tropical Fruits............. (202) 720-5412 Tierra Mobley - Berries, Cranberries, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes ......... (202) 720-4285 Dan Norris - Austrian Winter Peas, Dry Edible Peas, Lentils, Mints, Mushrooms, Peaches, Pears, Wrinkled Seed Peas, Dry Beans .......... (202) 720-3250 Kim Ritchie - Hops...................................................... (360) 709-2400 Access to NASS Reports For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways: All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: http://www.nass.usda.gov Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e- mail subscription. 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