Fresh Vegetable Acreage Decline

WASHINGTON - Apr 3/08 - SNS -- The prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh market vegetables during the spring quarter is forecast at 203,300 acres, down 1% from last year, according to the USDA.

Acreage declines for snap beans, carrots, cauliflower, head lettuce, bell peppers, and tomatoes more than offset acreage increases for broccoli, cabbage, celery, and sweet corn. Cucumber area remains unchanged. Melon acreage for spring harvest is forecast at 72,450, down 2% from last year. Watermelon acreage is down 1% from 2007 while cantaloup acreage declined 4% from a year ago. Honeydew melon acreage remains unchanged from 2007. Asparagus area for spring harvest is forecast at 34,100 acres, down 11% from last year. Strawberry area for harvest is forecast at 46,500 acres, up 2% from a year ago.

Processors expect to contract 1.18 million acres of the 5 major processed vegetable crops in the U.S. this year, down 2% from last year. Contracted acreage declines are forecast for snap beans and tomatoes, while sweet corn, cucumbers for pickles, and green peas show increases. Freezing firms expect to contract 401,350 acres, down 2% from last year.

Acreage for snap beans is down 12% while green pea acreage is up 2% from last year. Acreage for sweet corn is virtually unchanged. Canneries contracted for 781,610 acres, down 2% from 2007. Acreage declined for snap beans, green peas, and tomatoes, down 9%, 1%, and 3%, respectively. Acreage increased for sweet corn and cucumbers for pickles, up 3% and 4%, respectively.

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