![](media/image1.png){width="1.2708333333333333in"
height="10.245833333333334in"}

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="7.75in" height="0.23958333333333334in"}

**FLORIDA**![](media/image3.wmf){width="1.2743055555555556in"
height="1.042361111111111in"}

**Vegetable Report**

**November 14, 2023**

**[Florida Weather]{.smallcaps}:** Hot temperatures during July, August
and September boosted plant growth and fruit development. In early July,
rain and wind, caused by Tropical Storm Cindy passing off the eastern
coast and Hurricane Dennis churning in the Gulf of Mexico, delayed some
land preparation for fall crop planting. Clearer weather, between
sporadic showers, during the rest of July and most of August let
producers keep most field preparation and planting on schedule. In late
July, muddy fields prevented some field preparations around Immokalee.
By mid-to-late August, squash and watermelon planting was active around
Lake Placid while eggplant, pepper and tomato planting was underway in
the Immokalee area. Dade County crops suffered significant damage as
Katrina passed over on August 25 with flooding hampering okra
harvesting. Some Dade County growers cut as much okra as possible before
the storm arrived. Rain and wind beat tomato plants in the Quincy area,
resulting in some yield loss. Elsewhere, over the southern Peninsula, a
few producers delayed some planting due to the threat of damage from
Katrina. However, the Immokalee and Palmetto-Ruskin regions suffered no
significant harm. Tomato acreage in the Quincy area was virtually all
planted by the third week of August with some late plantings making
harvest run a little later than usual. In early September, some planting
and other field work was postponed around Hastings, Stuart and Jupiter
due to the threat of Tropical Storm Ophelia. Drier conditions around
mid-September speeded the laying of plastic and planting in all major
regions, and allowed the tomato crop around Quincy to improve from
previous storm damage. In late September, strong, gusty winds from
Hurricane Rita blew plastic off some Dade County fields which delayed
planting by about half a week. About one percent of the winter tomato
acreage was transplanted around Homestead when Rita passed. Less
rainfall from Rita around Immokalee, Plant City, Palmetto and Ruskin
allowed planting to remain mostly on schedule. Heavier rainfall around
Quincy interrupted some tomato pruning and tying as the picking of grape
types got underway. By early October, strawberry growers around Plant
City were preparing ground and laying plastic for winter crop
transplanting and producers around Hastings started planting cabbage.

**[Snap beans]{.smallcaps}:** As of October 1, acreage to be picked was
set at 10,000 acres, up 200 acres from the 9,800 acres harvested during
the fall of 2004. Plantings for the fall crop were delayed due to rain
and gusty winds caused by tropical systems with the fields extremely
saturated. Very light amounts were available as harvesting began in late
September and early October.

**[Cabbage]{.smallcaps}:** Planting started during late September in the
Hastings area with some planting delayed due to rainfall from Tropical
Storm Ophelia. As of October 1, producers hoped to pick 1,100 acres, up
100 acres from last year. Harvesting around Hastings was expected to
begin about December 1.

**[Sweet Corn]{.smallcaps}:** Surplus soil moisture supplies delayed
some planting around Lake Okeechobee and in Dade County. Growers
expected to pick 5,300 acres this fall, up 500 acres or 10 percent from
the last fall's acreage. Picking began in late September.

**[Cucumbers]{.smallcaps}:** As of October 1, growers expected to pick
4,300 acres compared to 4,600 acres harvested a year ago. Harvesting
started in late September with very light amounts available by early
October.

**[Bell Peppers]{.smallcaps}:** Producers expect to pick 4,800 acres
this fall, down 100 acres from the 4,900 acres harvested last fall. Some
plantings were delayed due to prior tropical systems with fields
extremely saturated. Harvesting got underway in late September.

**[Tomatoes]{.smallcaps}:** Abundant rainfall over the Quincy area
slowed planting in July with the start of harvest delayed by one to two
weeks. Limited planting began in southern Hillsborough County around
mid-August. Acreage in the Quincy area was virtually all planted by the
third week of August with some late plantings making harvest continue
for a longer time than usual. By early September, acreage in the Quincy
area was in good condition as cooler temperatures slowed some growth.
Picking the Palmetto-Ruskin region and around Quincy started in late
September and early October. As of October 1, growers were expected to
pick 12,000 acres, equal to last fall's acreage.

**UNITED STATES**

**[General:]{.smallcaps}** The prospective area for harvest of 11
selected fresh market vegetables during the fall quarter was forecast at
163,900 acres, up 3 percent from last year. Acreage increased for snap
beans, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, sweet corn, and bell peppers
while acreage decreased for celery, cucumbers, head lettuce, and
tomatoes. Acreage for cabbage was unchanged. Area forecasted for fall
melon harvest was 15,800 acres, up 35 percent from last year. Cantaloupe
harvested area was forecast at 12,300 acres, up 45 percent from 2004.
Honeydew harvested area was forecast at 3,500 acres, up 9 percent from
last fall.

**[Snap Beans:]{.smallcaps}** Fall fresh market area for harvest was
forecast at 18,800 acres, up 4 percent from last year and 11 percent
above 2003. Georgia growers reported a very dry fall season with very
little rainfall received during the last month. The New Jersey crop did
well despite sustained high temperatures during the summer months.
Regular irrigation was necessary for most of the fields. In Virginia,
persistent dry weather and warmer than normal temperatures made
irrigation necessary in some areas. Growers that could not irrigate
expected lower yields.

**[Cabbage:]{.smallcaps}** Fresh market area for harvest was forecast at
6,500 acres, unchanged from both last year and the year before.
Conditions were dry in Georgia during September. New Jersey acreage was
unchanged from last year. Harvest began mid-September with good quality
reported. Texas conditions were abnormally hot with mid-afternoon
temperatures in the high 90s. This year\'s crop experienced problems
similar to white fly infestation.

[**Sweet Corn**:]{.smallcaps} Fresh market area for harvest was forecast
at 10,100 acres, up 4 percent from last year and 2 percent above 2003.
California\'s crop was in good condition as of October 1 with no insect
or disease problems reported.

**[Cucumbers:]{.smallcaps}** Area for fall harvest was forecast at 7,200
acres, down 6 percent from last year and 9 percent lower than 2003.
South Carolina\'s crop received sufficient moisture until hurricane
season which disrupted the normal West-East weather fronts.
Precipitation was well below normal with the exception of coastal areas
from Charleston north that received rainfall from Hurricane Ophelia. The
Texas crop had some white fly damage with most acreage doing well by
October 1. Virginia growers reported hot and dry conditions this fall.
Irrigated cucumbers were doing well but growers without irrigation
expected lower yields and quality.

**[Bell Peppers:]{.smallcaps}** Fall area for harvest was forecast at
5,400 acres, up 6 percent from both 2004 and 2003. In Texas, fields made
good progress but hot weather delayed fruit set. The market was strong
but there were no peppers ready for harvest by October 1. A late harvest
was expected.

**[Tomatoes:]{.smallcaps}** Fresh market area for fall harvest was
forecast at 21,400 acres, 1 percent below last year and down 4 percent
from 2003. California growers reported normal conditions during
planting. Harvest was active and fungicides were being applied as
needed.

+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| Vegetables for fresh |       |         |          |          |      |
| market, prospective  |       |         |          |          |      |
| acreage for harvest, |       |         |          |          |      |
| October, November    |       |         |          |          |      |
| and                  |       |         |          |          |      |
|                      |       |         |          |          |      |
| December, by States, |       |         |          |          |      |
| 2005 with            |       |         |          |          |      |
| comparisons          |       |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| Selected crops       | Usual | Fall    |          |          | 2005 |
|                      |       | acreage |          |          | area |
| and States           | ha    |         |          |          |      |
|                      | rvest |         |          |          | for  |
|                      |       |         |          |          | har  |
|                      | p     |         |          |          | vest |
|                      | eriod |         |          |          |      |
|                      |       |         |          |          | as   |
|                      |       |         |          |          | per  |
|                      |       |         |          |          | cent |
|                      |       |         |          |          |      |
|                      |       |         |          |          | of   |
|                      |       |         |          |          | 2004 |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
|                      |       | Ha      |          | For      |      |
|                      |       | rvested |          |          |      |
|                      |       |         |          | harvest  |      |
|                      |       |         |          |          |      |
|                      |       |         |          | 2005     |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
|                      |       | 2003    | 2004     |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
|                      |       | *Acres* |          |          | *    |
|                      |       |         |          |          | Perc |
|                      |       |         |          |          | ent* |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| **SNAP BEANS**:      |       |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > **Florida**        | Oc    | 9,200   | 9,800    | 10,000   | 102  |
|                      | t-Dec |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > Georgia            | Oc    | 5,000   | 5,000    | 5,000    | 100  |
|                      | t-Dec |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > New Jersey         | Se    | 900     | 1,600    | 1,700    | 106  |
|                      | p-Oct |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > Virginia           | Se    | 1,900   | 1,600    | 2,100    | 131  |
|                      | p-Oct |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > Total              |       | 17,000  | 18,000   | 18,800   | 104  |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| **CABBAGE**:         |       |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > **Florida** ^1/^   | Oc    | 500     | 1,000    | 1,100    | 110  |
|                      | t-Dec |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > Georgia            | Oc    | 4,700   | 4,800    | 4,700    | 98   |
|                      | t-Dec |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > New Jersey         | Se    | 400     | 500      | 500      | 100  |
|                      | p-Nov |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > Texas              | Se    | 900     | 200      | 200      | 100  |
|                      | p-Nov |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > Total              |       | 6,500   | 6,500    | 6,500    | 100  |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| **SWEET CORN**:      |       |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > **Florida**        | Oc    | 4,900   | 4,800    | 5,300    | 110  |
|                      | t-Dec |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > California         | Oc    | 5,000   | 4,900    | 4,800    | 98   |
|                      | t-Dec |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > Total              |       | 9,900   | 9,700    | 10,100   | 104  |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| **CUCUMBERS**:       |       |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > **Florida**        | Oc    | 4,800   | 4,600    | 4,300    | 93   |
|                      | t-Dec |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > South Carolina     | Oc    | 700     | 1,000    | 700      | 70   |
|                      | t-Dec |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > Texas              | Se    | 1,100   | 1,200    | 1,500    | 125  |
|                      | p-Nov |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > Virginia           | Se    | 1,300   | 900      | 700      | 78   |
|                      | p-Oct |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > Total              |       | 7,900   | 7,700    | 7,200    | 94   |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| **BELL               |       |         |          |          |      |
| PEPPERS**: ^2/^      |       |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > **Florida**        | Oc    | 4,900   | 4,900    | 4,800    | 98   |
|                      | t-Dec |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > Texas              | Se    | 200     | 200      | 600      | 300  |
|                      | p-Nov |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > Total              |       | 5,100   | 5,100    | 5,400    | 106  |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| **TOMATOES**:        |       |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > **Florida**        | Se    | 13,500  | 12,000   | 12,000   | 100  |
|                      | p-Dec |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > California         | Oc    | 8,800   | 9,600    | 9,400    | 98   |
|                      | t-Dec |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > Total              |       | 22,300  | 21,600   | 21,400   | 99   |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| **TOTAL OF CROPS     |       |         |          |          |      |
| LISTED**             |       |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > **Florida**        |       | 37,800  | 37,100   | 37,500   | 101  |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > United States      |       | 68,700  | 68,600   | 69,400   | 101  |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| **TOTAL OF CROPS     |       |         |          |          |      |
| ESTIMATED**          |       |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| > United States ^3/^ |       | 171,000 | 171,300  | 179,700  | 105  |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+
| ^1/^ 2004 revised.   |       |         |          |          |      |
|                      |       |         |          |          |      |
| ^2/^Includes fresh   |       |         |          |          |      |
| market and           |       |         |          |          |      |
| processing.          |       |         |          |          |      |
|                      |       |         |          |          |      |
| ^3/^ Total of crops  |       |         |          |          |      |
| listed plus          |       |         |          |          |      |
| broccoli, carrots,   |       |         |          |          |      |
| cauliflower, celery, |       |         |          |          |      |
| head lettuce,        |       |         |          |          |      |
| cantaloupes, and     |       |         |          |          |      |
| honeydew melons.     |       |         |          |          |      |
+----------------------+-------+---------+----------+----------+------+