Non-Citrus Fruit Output Up in 2005

WASHINGTON - Jul 6/06 - SNS -- Total production of noncitrus fruits climbed 9% last year to 18.1 million tons, according to the USDA.

Utilized production increased from 2004 for avocados, Hawaii bananas, Oregon blackberries, cultivated blueberries, Maine wild blueberries, Oregon black raspberries, red raspberries, tart cherries, cranberries, grapes, California kiwifruit, California olives, California plums, California prunes, and strawberries.

The value of utilized production for noncitrus fruit crops totaled 9.96 billion dollars, up 11% from 2004. The value of utilized production for Oregon black raspberries increased 94%, Maine wild blueberries increased 86%, California prunes increased 81%, nectarines increased 47%, Oregon loganberries increased 44%, California olives increased 31%, avocados increased 25%, while cultivated blueberries and California plums each increased 24% from the previous year.

Also, grapes and apples, which are the top 2 commodities in value of production, each increased 15%. However, the value of utilized production for prunes and plums decreased 25%, red raspberries and California all raspberries each decreased 13%, Hawaii papayas decreased 9%, tart cherries decreased 8%, California dates are down 7%, while strawberries and Hawaii pineapples each decreased 5% from 2004.

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