Marginal Drop in Sugarcane

WASHINGTON - Mar 9/07 - SNS -- Sugarcane production for sugar and seed for the 2006 crop year is estimated at 29.8 million tons, 12% above 2005 and up fractionally from last month, according to the latest USDA crop production estimates.

Harvested area is estimated at 908,800 acres for sugar and seed during the 2006 crop year, down 1% from the 2005 harvested area but unchanged from the February estimate. Yield is estimated at 32.8 tons per acre, 3.9 tons greater than the 2005 crop and 0.1 ton higher than the previous estimate.

The yield in Florida for sugar and seed, at 35.8 tons per acre, is up 0.1 ton from last month and 4.0 tons from last year. Near freezing temperatures in Florida during February did little to no damage to sugarcane plants. Harvest is progressing normally and is expected to conclude by mid-March. Estimates for Hawaii, Louisiana, and Texas are carried forward from February.

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