April 4, 2007

**FLORIDA**

**[Weather]{.smallcaps}:** Planting and harvesting progressed normally
despite dry, hot temperatures during the first half of **January**. The
warm weather adversely affected strawberry quality during the beginning
of the month; however, by mid-January cool temperatures helped boost
development. Tomato transplanting began in the Quincy area after
mid-month. Warm temperatures accelerated the ripening of many crops with
some harvesting up to two weeks ahead of normal. There was an increase
in supplies to meet significant increase in demand. Cooler temperatures
swept over the sunshine State by late January. Cold weather crossed from
the Panhandle all the way down to the central Peninsula with some areas
experiencing some frosts and hard freezes. Potato planting was active
around the Hastings area. Growers marketed snap beans, cabbage, celery,
cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, peppers, radishes, squash,
strawberries, and tomatoes throughout the month. In early **February**,
a cold front swept across the State causing temperatures to plunge to
freezing and near freezing points as well as generated significant
rainfall in most areas. No major damage was reported to most vegetables.
The wet weather slowed vegetable harvest across the central and southern
Peninsula. Growers ran overhead sprinklers for freeze protection and the
rains reduced the quality of mature strawberries in addition to the
volume marketed. Producers used freeze covers to protect most vegetables
from the cold; however, the cold temperatures caused some spotty leaf
burn on beans, potatoes, squash, and sweet corn. Heavy rains and
wind-borne sand in some fields knocked off some blooms and bruised some
fruit, which impacted future tomato yields. Heavy rains in the Hastings
area flooded some potato fields with some seed uncovered; however,
producers drained fields and covered seed back up. Some cabbage, mixed
vegetables, and recent potato plantings showed significant damage from
the heavy rains in the Immokalee area. Freezing temperatures coupled
with dry conditions continued from mid to late February. At the
beginning of **March**, growers welcomed light showers which caused few
interruptions in planting and harvesting. Growers began picking light
amounts of blueberries. Cabbage cutting neared the usual seasonal peak
in mid-March as growers met the increased demand for the St. Patrick's
Day holiday. Scattered rains by mid-month helped ease some dry
conditions but more rains were needed. Several areas across the
Peninsula were extremely dry for the month, which increased the risk for
wild fires. The continued drought conditions by month's end began to
impact growth development of vegetables in central and southern
Peninsula areas. Producers marketed snap beans, blueberries, cabbage,
celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, lettuce,
parsley, peppers, squash, strawberries, and tomatoes throughout March.
Potato digging remained active during the month.

This report reflects conditions as of April 1 and represents acreage for
harvest during the spring months of April, May, June, and July.
Estimated acreage by growing region is no longer available.

**[Snap beans:]{.smallcaps}** In Florida, harvest of the winter crop
continued during February and early March. Clear weather allowed
planting to proceed on schedule. Cool temperature slowed some
maturation. A cold snap around mid-February caused some leaf damage
around Lake Okeechobee and Homestead.

**[Cabbage]{.smallcaps}:** In Florida, planting of the spring crop
started in January. Mostly mild conditions kept planting on schedule.
Despite a few nights of hard frost, cabbage escaped significant damage
because growers covered the crop with freeze cloths and ran overhead
sprinklers. Most cutting of the cabbage crop is expected to be complete
by the end of May.

**[Cucumbers:]{.smallcaps}** Florida's spring planting started in
January. Mostly warm and dry conditions kept planting on schedule.
Despite a few nights of hard frost in mid-February, cucumbers escaped
significant damage as growers covered the crop with freeze cloths and
ran overhead sprinklers. Cool temperatures slowed some crop development.

**[Bell peppers:]{.smallcaps}** Florida's area for harvest is forecast
at 7,400 acres, down 1 percent from 2006. Mostly favorable weather
conditions during January and February allowed planting and harvesting
to progress. In mid-February, cool temperatures slowed plant development
over the central and southern Peninsula. By March, clear weather allowed
planting and harvesting to proceed on schedule, while warmer
temperatures increased crop growth and fruit development in all
vegetable areas. Dry conditions allowed planting and harvesting to
proceed at a rapid pace.

**[Tomatoes]{.smallcaps}:** In Florida, many areas experienced cold
temperatures during most of February. Some producers either covered
plants with freeze cloths or ran overhead sprinklers to protect plants
from frosty temperatures. There was frost burn on some lower leaves of
tomatoes in the Immokalee area. Producers reported slow development due
to cold temperatures. Mostly clear conditions leading into early March
allowed planting and harvesting to continue on schedule across the
southern Peninsula area. Soil moisture supplies have been mostly short
across the central and southern Peninsula.

**[Watermelons:]{.smallcaps}** Minimal freeze damage during mid-February
was reported on Florida's watermelon crop. However, growers that planted
early were able to reset plants. Producers will start harvesting in
April and continue into early July if prices hold up. Watermelon prices
and availability of trucks to haul melons to market will impact how long
growers in the State harvest their watermelon crop. Vine Decline disease
is currently under control due to growers implementation of a White fly
population management program. Watermelons are currently sizing well and
quality is expected to be good.

**UNITED STATES**

**[General:]{.smallcaps}** The prospective area for harvest of 11
selected fresh market vegetables during the spring quarter is forecast
at 200,700 acres, down 3 percent from last year. Acreage declines for
snap beans, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, head lettuce, bell
peppers, sweet corn, and tomatoes more than offset acreage increases for
broccoli and cucumbers. Melon acreage for spring harvest is forecast at
73,900, down 2 percent from last year. Watermelon acreage is down 1
percent from 2006 while cantaloup acreage declined 4 percent from a year
ago. Honeydew melon acreage increased 2 percent from 2006. Asparagus
area for spring harvest is forecast at 42,000 acres, down 6 percent from
last year.

**[Snap beans:]{.smallcaps}** Area for spring harvest is forecast at
20,200 acres, down 9 percent from last year. Georgia snap beans are in
fair to good condition. Soil moisture has been mostly adequate this
spring and temperatures were close to normal. In New Jersey, cold
temperatures and scattered snow showers delayed some plantings.

**[Cabbage]{.smallcaps}:** Area for spring harvest is forecast at 6,700
acres, down 4 percent from last year. The Georgia crop is in fair to
good condition. Soil moisture and temperatures have been favorable for
the crop. In Texas, dry weather has provided favorable growing
conditions for the cabbage crop.

**[Cucumbers:]{.smallcaps}** Spring harvested area is forecast at 7,300
acres, up 1 percent from 2006.

**[Tomatoes]{.smallcaps}:** Area for harvest is forecast at 28,000
acres, down 2 percent from 2006. Warm weather throughout California
provided ideal growing conditions for tomatoes. Sporadic rainfall
provided adequate water to promote plant growth. There have been no
reports of significant pest infestations or diseases.

**[Watermelons:]{.smallcaps}** Area intended for harvest is forecast at
38,800 acres, down 1 percent from last year. California's spring melon
crop is progressing well.

+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| **[Vegetables    |          |         |         |         |        |
| for fresh        |          |         |         |         |        |
| market,          |          |         |         |         |        |
| prospective      |          |         |         |         |        |
| acreage for      |          |         |         |         |        |
| harvest, spring  |          |         |         |         |        |
| quarte           |          |         |         |         |        |
| r]{.smallcaps}** |          |         |         |         |        |
|                  |          |         |         |         |        |
| **[by States,    |          |         |         |         |        |
| 2007 with        |          |         |         |         |        |
| comparison       |          |         |         |         |        |
| s]{.smallcaps}** |          |         |         |         |        |
+==================+==========+=========+=========+=========+========+
| Selected crops   | Usual    | Spring  |         |         | 2007   |
|                  |          | acreage |         |         | area   |
| and States       | harvest  |         |         |         |        |
|                  |          |         |         |         | for    |
|                  | period   |         |         |         | h      |
|                  |          |         |         |         | arvest |
|                  |          |         |         |         |        |
|                  |          |         |         |         | as     |
|                  |          |         |         |         | p      |
|                  |          |         |         |         | ercent |
|                  |          |         |         |         |        |
|                  |          |         |         |         | of     |
|                  |          |         |         |         | 2006   |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
|                  |          | Ha      |         | For     |        |
|                  |          | rvested |         |         |        |
|                  |          |         |         | harvest |        |
|                  |          |         |         |         |        |
|                  |          |         |         | 2007    |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
|                  |          | 2005    | 2006    |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
|                  |          | *Acres* |         |         | *Pe    |
|                  |          |         |         |         | rcent* |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| **[Snap          |          |         |         |         |        |
| Beans            |          |         |         |         |        |
| ]{.smallcaps}**: |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > **Florida**    | Apr-Jun  | 11,500  | 11,000  | 9,000   | 90     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > Georgia        | Apr-Jun  | 9,100   | 9,600   | 8,500   | 89     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > New Jersey     | Jun-Aug  | 1,600   | 1,600   | 1,800   | 113    |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > Total          |          | 22,200  | 22,200  | 20,200  | 91     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
|                  |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| **[Cabbage       |          |         |         |         |        |
| ]{.smallcaps}**: |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > **Florida**    | Apr-Jun  | 1,800   | 1,400   | 1,400   | 100    |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > Georgia        | Apr-Jun  | 4,000   | 3,900   | 3,600   | 92     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > New Jersey     | May-Aug  | 1,000   | 1,000   | 1,200   | 120    |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > Texas          | Apr-Jun  | 900     | 700     | 500     | 71     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > Total          |          | 7,700   | 7,000   | 6,700   | 96     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
|                  |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| **[Sweet         |          |         |         |         |        |
| Corn             |          |         |         |         |        |
| ]{.smallcaps}**: |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > **Florida**    | Apr-Jun  | 21,000  | 21,000  | 20,500  | 98     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > California     | Apr-Jun  | 11,500  | 13,000  | 12,000  | 92     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > Total          |          | 32,500  | 34,000  | 32,500  | 96     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
|                  |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| **[Cucumbers     |          |         |         |         |        |
| ]{.smallcaps}**: |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > **Florida**    | Apr-Jun  | 5,900   | 5,500   | 6,100   | 111    |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > South Carolina | May-Aug  | 1,000   | 1,100   | 800     | 73     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > Texas          | Apr-Jun  | 300     | 600     | 400     | 67     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > Total          |          | 7,200   | 7,200   | 7,300   | 101    |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
|                  |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| [**Bell          |          |         |         |         |        |
| Peppers**:       |          |         |         |         |        |
| ^1^              |          |         |         |         |        |
| ]{.smallcaps}^/^ |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > **Florida**    | Apr-Jul  | 7,800   | 7,500   | 7,400   | 99     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > Texas          | Apr-Jun  | 200     | 100     | ^2/^    | \--    |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > Total          |          | 8,000   | 7,600   | 7,400   | 97     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
|                  |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| **[Tomatoes      |          |         |         |         |        |
| ]{.smallcaps}**: |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > **Florida**    | Apr-Jul  | 17,500  | 17,500  | 17,200  | 98     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > California     | Apr-Jun  | 7,000   | 8,000   | 8,000   | 100    |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > South Carolina | May-Jul  | 3,000   | 3,000   | 2,800   | 93     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > Total          |          | 27,500  | 28,500  | 28,000  | 98     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
|                  |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| **[Watermelon    |          |         |         |         |        |
| ]{.smallcaps}**: |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > **Florida**    | Apr-Jul  | 26,000  | 25,300  | 24,600  | 97     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > California     | Apr-Jun  | 3,600   | 3,600   | 3,600   | 100    |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > Texas          | Apr-Jun  | 10,800  | 10,100  | 10,600  | 105    |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > Total          |          | 40,400  | 39,000  | 38,800  | 99     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
|                  |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| **TOTAL OF CROPS |          |         |         |         |        |
| LISTED**         |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > **Florida**    |          | 91,500  | 89,200  | 87,100  | 98     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > United States  |          | 145,500 | 145,500 | 140,900 | 97     |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
|                  |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| **TOTAL OF CROPS |          |         |         |         |        |
| ESTIMATED**      |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| > United States  |          | 282,900 | 282,800 | 274,600 | 97     |
| > ^3/^           |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+
| ^1/^ Includes    |          |         |         |         |        |
| fresh market and |          |         |         |         |        |
| processing.      |          |         |         |         |        |
|                  |          |         |         |         |        |
| ^2/^ Estimates   |          |         |         |         |        |
| discontinued in  |          |         |         |         |        |
| 2007.            |          |         |         |         |        |
|                  |          |         |         |         |        |
| ^3/^ Total of    |          |         |         |         |        |
| crops listed     |          |         |         |         |        |
| plus broccoli,   |          |         |         |         |        |
| cantaloups,      |          |         |         |         |        |
| carrots,         |          |         |         |         |        |
| cauliflower,     |          |         |         |         |        |
| celery, head     |          |         |         |         |        |
| lettuce and      |          |         |         |         |        |
| honeydew melons. |          |         |         |         |        |
+------------------+----------+---------+---------+---------+--------+