U.S. Processors Contract Fewer Vegetables

WASHINGTON - Apr 1/05 - SNS -- Processors expect to contract 1.21 million acres of the 5 major processed vegetable crops in the U.S. this year, down 1% from last year, according to the USDA's latest update on vegetable production in the United States.

Contracted acreage decreases are forecast for tomatoes, snap beans, and sweet corn, while cucumbers for pickles and green peas show increases. Freezing firms expect to contract virtually the same acreage as last year, with 383,600 acres under contract.

Acreage for both snap beans and green peas is up 2%. Sweet corn acreage for freezing is down 2% from last year. Canneries contracted for 829,500 acres, down 2% from 2004.

Acreage increased for cucumbers for pickles, green peas, and sweet corn, up 15, 13, and less than 1%, respectively, while acreage decreased for tomatoes and snap beans, down 9 and 7%, respectively.

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