U.S. Sugarcane Crop Numbers Cut

WASHINGTON - Jun 10/08 - SNS -- Production of sugarcane for sugar and seed for the 2007 crop year is revised to 30.0 million tons, down 3% from the March 1 estimate but up 1% from 2006, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Area harvested for sugar and seed during the 2007 crop year totaled 879,600 acres, down fractionally from the March estimate and down 2% from 2006. This is the lowest area harvested for sugar and seed since 1990. Yield is estimated at 34.1 tons per acre, 0.8 ton below the March estimate but 1.2 tons above the 2006 crop.

Total production of cane for sugar and seed decreased from the previous year in all States, except Louisiana. Area harvested for sugar decreased 18,700 acres but area harvested for seed was up 600 acres from 2006. Yield per acre of sugarcane for sugar increased 1.2 tons per acre from the previous year, resulting in an overall increase of 1% in sugarcane for sugar production from 2006. Sugarcane for seed yield increased 1.4 tons per acre from the previous year. The increase in harvested area and yield resulted in a 6% increase in sugarcane for seed production from 2006.

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