Modest Hike in Peach Forecast

WASHINGTON - Aug 10/07 - SNS -- The August 2007 forecast of U.S. peach production is 1.03 million tons, up fractionally from the July 1 forecast and 2% above 2006, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

New Jersey's expectations, at 32,000 tons, were unchanged from July 1 but 6% below a year ago. Washington showed no change from last month's forecasted production or last season's crop. Michigan's forecast, at 19,000 tons, is down 1,000 tons from July 1, while Pennsylvania's expectations, at 19,100 tons, increased 100 tons from last month's forecasted production. South Carolina's frost-damaged crop is forecast at 9,000 tons, up 1,000 tons from the July 1 forecast but 85% below last season's production.

The U.S. Freestone crop, as of August 1, is forecast at 576,945 tons, virtually unchanged from last month but 11% below last year. The California Freestone forecast, which is carried forward from July 1, at 390,000 tons, is up 10% from 2006 and 1% above the 2005 crop.

California's Clingstone forecast, also carried forward from July 1, is 450,000 tons, up 25% from last season but 7% below 2005.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here