Winter Vegetable Area Rising in U.S.

WASHINGTON - Jan 9/06 - SNS -- The prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh market vegetables during the winter quarter is forecast at 183,900 acres, according to the USDA, 2% above 2005 and 3% greater than 2004.

Acreage increases for carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, snap beans, spinach, and broccoli more than offset decreases for tomatoes, sweet corn, celery, bell pepper, and head lettuce.

Snap Beans:Florida area for harvest is forecast at 13,200 acres, up 6% from last year and 10% above 2004. Some acreage south of Lake Okeechobee and in the Miami-Dade County area was replanted after damage from Hurricane Wilma. Mostly mild conditions since the hurricane have aided crop growth.

Broccoli:California harvested area is forecast at 27,500 acres, 4% above both 2005 and 2004. A series of storms passed through Southern California in late December and early January bringing cold temperatures and much rain. Some flooding occurred due to breached levees and over flowing rivers. If conditions improve, favorable yields are possible as growers allocated the most fertile fields to vegetables. No major pest or disease problems have been reported this season.

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