Modest Drop in Sugarcane Output

WASHINGTON - Aug 12/19 - SNS -- Production of sugarcane for sugar and seed in 2019 is forecast at 34.4 million tons, down slightly from last year, according to the USDA's latest crop production report.

Producers intend to harvest 916,800 acres for sugar and seed during the 2019 crop year, up 2% from last year. Yields for sugar and seed are expected to average 37.5 tons per acre, down 0.9 ton from 2018.

Height and growth per day were below average in Louisiana fields, but the stalk population looked good. There were still some lingering effects from the 2018 harvest, but growers are anticipating an average crop.

Sugarcane for Sugar and Seed Area Harvested, Yield, and Production - States and
United States: 2018 and Forecasted August 1, 2019
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              :    Area harvested     :   Yield per acre 1/   :     Production 1/
     State    :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
              :   2018    :   2019    :   2018    :   2019    :   2018    :   2019
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              :   -- 1,000 acres --       ----- tons -----       --- 1,000 tons ---
              :
Florida ......:   412.3       408.0       41.9        43.3       17,256      17,666
Louisiana ....:   448.5       475.0       35.4        32.5       15,861      15,438
Texas ........:    38.9        33.8       36.6        38.2        1,425       1,291
              :
United States :   899.7       916.8       38.4        37.5       34,542      34,395
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1/ Net tons.