USDA Lowers Current Peanut Forecast

WASHINGTON - Oct 9/09 - SNS -- Peanut production in the U.S. is forecast at 3.64 billion pounds, down 1% from the September 1 forecast and down 30% from last year, according to the latest USDA crop production estimates.

Area for harvest is expected to total 1.08 million acres, unchanged from September but down 28% from 2008. Yields are expected to average 3,363 pounds per acre, down 34 pounds from last month and down 63 pounds from the 2008 record yield of 3,426 pounds per acre. However, this would be the second highest U.S. yield on record if realized.

Production in the Southeast States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina) is expected to total 2.79 billion pounds, down less than 1% from September and down 27% from last year. Expected area for harvest, at 825,000 acres, is unchanged from September but down 25% from 2008. Yields in the region are expected to average 3,384 pounds per acre, down 17 pounds from last month and 48 pounds below last year. Yields are forecast lower than last year in all Southeast States except for Georgia.

Virginia-North Carolina production is forecast at 272 million pounds, up 2% from the September 1 forecast but down 38% from 2008. Expected area for harvest, at 78,000 acres, is unchanged from the previous forecast but down 36% from last year. The average yield is forecast at 3,485 pounds per acre, up 85 pounds from the September forecast but 146 pounds less than the 2008 average. Harvest was underway in both States as of October 4.

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