Modest Drop in Grape Output

WASHINGTON - Aug 10/12 - SNS -- United States grape production for 2012 is forecast at 7.30 million tons, down 1% from last year, according to the latest USDA crop estimate.

California leads the United States in grape production with 90% of the total. Washington and New York are the next largest producing States, with 6% and 2%, respectively.

California's wine type grape production is forecast at 3.70 million tons, up 9% from 2011 and represents 56% of California's total grape crop. California's raisin type grape production is forecast at 1.90 million tons, down 13% from last year and represents 29% of California's total grape crop.

California's table type grape production is forecast at 1.00 million tons, down 3% from the previous year. California vineyards saw warm and dry growing conditions this spring. Mildew and European Grapevine Moth pressure have been low this year. Bunch counts for the Thompson grape variety were down significantly from 2011.

In Washington, a warm, dry spring along with mild winter conditions significantly improved production expectations over last year. New York, as well as other grape producing states in the Great Lakes region, reported significant yield reductions compared with last year due to freezing temperatures during April. Damage to the crop was compounded by the fact that vine development was ahead of normal following a mild winter. Texas and Virginia growers reported good growing conditions and expect to see increased production over last year.

Grape Production - States and United States: 2011 and Forecasted August 1, 2012
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                    :                     Total production
        State       :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :            2011             :            2012
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                    :                           tons
                    :
Arkansas ...........:              1,200                         1,100
California .........:          6,612,000                     6,600,000
  Wine .............:          3,387,000                     3,700,000
  Table 1/ .........:          1,031,000                     1,000,000
  Raisin 1/ ........:          2,194,000                     1,900,000
Georgia ............:              3,500                         3,800
Michigan ...........:             94,400                        30,000
Missouri ...........:              5,200                         5,100
New York ...........:            188,000                       115,000
North Carolina .....:              5,200                         5,400
                    :
Ohio ...............:              7,480                         3,400
Oregon .............:             41,500                        46,000
Pennsylvania .......:             91,000                        54,000
Texas ..............:              5,330                         8,800
Virginia ...........:              6,900                         9,200
Washington .........:            316,000                       415,000
  Wine .............:            142,000                       185,000
  Juice ............:            174,000                       230,000
                    :
United States ......:          7,377,710                     7,296,800
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1/  Fresh basis.