Papaya Production Slips From February

WASHINGTON - May 9/08 - SNS -- Hawaii fresh papaya production is estimated at 2.51 million pounds for March 2008, down 7% from February but 7% higher than the comparable month a year ago, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Total area in crop for March is estimated at 2,020 acres, down 1% from February and 3% lower than March 2007. Harvested area totaled 1,425 acres, down slightly from the previous month but 10% higher than March 2007. March weather was mostly sunny and dry with the exception of a few heavy showers.

Conditions were beneficial for fruit development and ripening. Growers made efforts to control aphids in order to limit the spread of papaya ringspot virus.

Hawaii's revised 2007 annual papaya utilization is 33.4 million pounds, up slightly from the preliminary estimate and 16% higher than last year's utilized production. Harvested area, at 1,310 acres, is 14% lower than 2006. Acres were down due to the clearing of damaged orchards from the previous year's excessive rains. However, higher yields more than made up for the fewer acres harvested.

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