Vg 1-1  (7-98)
 
 
 
 
Vegetables
 
 
 
     National
     Agricultural
     Statistics
     Service
 
USDA
Washington, D.C.
 
 
Released July 9, 1998, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS),
Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.  For information
on "Vegetables" call Biz Wallingsford at 202-720-2157, office hours 7:30 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. ET.
 
 
 
          Fresh Vegetables Harvested Acreage Up 2 Percent
 
The prospective area for harvest of 12 selected fresh market vegetables during
the summer quarter is forecast at 333,250 acres, up 2 percent from last year and
up 6 percent from 1996.  Acreage increased for broccoli, cabbage, celery, sweet
corn, cucumbers, and head lettuce.  Showing acreage reductions were snap beans,
carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, bell peppers, and tomatoes.  Area forecasted for
melon harvest is 141,400 acres, down 4 percent from last year.  Cantaloup
acreage is forecasted at 52,300 acres, down 1 percent from 1996.  Honeydew
acreage, forecasted at 17,600 acres, is also off 1 percent.  Watermelon acreage
is forecasted at 71,500 acres, down 7 percent from last year.
 
Spring strawberry production is estimated at 13.2 million cwt, down 6 percent
from last year. Area for harvest, at 31,900 acres, was up 3 percent from 1997.
 
                    Onion Acreage Down 2 Percent
 
Onions growers expect to harvest 159,160 acres of onions in 1998.  This is down
2 percent from the comparable States of last year.  Spring onion growers
harvested 35,200 acres, up 6 percent from last year.  Summer, non-storage onion
growers expect to harvest 12,150 acres, a drop of 10 percent from comparable
acreage last year.  Storage onions (excluding California) should be harvested
from 80,810 acres in 1998, down 3 percent from last year.  The California crop
is expected from 31,000 acres, up 7 percent from last year.
 
              Processed Vegetable Acreage Up Slightly
 
Vegetable processors have contracted 1.36 million acres with U.S. farmers, which
were planted to the five major vegetable crops (snap beans, sweet corn,
cucumbers for pickles, green peas, and tomatoes).  This acreage is up less than
1 percent from last year.  Acreage changes vary only from 3 percent up for
cucumbers for pickles to 3 percent down for green peas.  Green pea production,
at 481,600 tons, is 1 percent more than last year.  Tomato production is
forecast at 9.71 million tons, virtually unchanged from 1997.
 
 
 
     Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons:  Area Harvested by Season,
            and Crop, Major States, 1996-97 and Prospective Area 1998
                                (Domestic Units)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          :                        Area
          Season          :-----------------------------------------------------
            and           :             Harvested             :       For
           Crop           :-----------------------------------:     Harvest
                          :      1996       :      1997       :      1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          :                        Acres
                          :
Winter                    :     197,350           189,100           188,100
                          :
Spring                    :     349,650           340,050           344,900
                          :
Summer                    :
  Snap Beans              :      13,200            13,000            12,300
  Broccoli 1/             :      29,000            31,500            33,000
  Cabbage                 :      21,500            23,000            23,200
  Carrots                 :      17,200            20,800            20,700
  Cauliflower 1/          :      10,500            11,500            11,200
  Celery 1/               :       5,000             5,200             5,600
  Sweet Corn              :     115,200           116,900           119,700
  Cucumbers               :       8,800             8,100             9,000
  Eggplant                :         800               900               800
  Head Lettuce            :      48,500            51,700            54,800
  Bell Peppers 1/         :       5,000             4,800             4,600
  Tomatoes                :      38,400            38,850            38,350
                          :
  Total 12 Vegetables     :     313,100           326,250           333,250
                          :
  Cantaloups              :      44,400            52,700            52,300
  Honeydews               :      16,300            17,800            17,600
  Watermelons             :      83,600            76,900            71,500
                          :
  Total 3 Melons          :     144,300           147,400           141,400
                          :
  Total Summer Crop       :     457,400           473,650           474,650
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes fresh market and processing.
 
 
 
 
     Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons:  Area Harvested by Season,
            and Crop, Major States, 1996-97 and Prospective Area 1998
                                 (Metric Units)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          :                        Area
          Season          :-----------------------------------------------------
            and           :             Harvested             :       For
           Crop           :-----------------------------------:     Harvest
                          :      1996       :      1997       :      1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          :                      Hectares
                          :
Winter                    :      79,850            76,510            76,150
                          :
Spring                    :     141,510           137,620           139,570
                          :
Summer                    :
  Snap Beans              :       5,340             5,260             4,980
  Broccoli 1/             :      11,740            12,750            13,350
  Cabbage                 :       8,700             9,310             9,390
  Carrots                 :       6,960             8,420             8,380
  Cauliflower 1/          :       4,250             4,650             4,530
  Celery 1/               :       2,020             2,100             2,270
  Sweet Corn              :      46,620            47,310            48,440
  Cucumbers               :       3,560             3,280             3,640
  Eggplant                :         320               360               320
  Head Lettuce            :      19,630            20,920            22,180
  Bell Peppers 1/         :       2,020             1,940             1,860
  Tomatoes                :      15,540            15,720            15,520
                          :
  Total 12 Vegetables     :     126,710           132,030           134,860
                          :
  Cantaloups              :      17,970            21,330            21,170
  Honeydews               :       6,600             7,200             7,120
  Watermelons             :      33,830            31,120            28,940
                          :
  Total 3 Melons          :      58,400            59,650            57,220
                          :
  Total Summer Crop       :     185,110           191,680           192,090
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes fresh market and processing.
 
 
 
 
      Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons:  Area Harvested by Crop,
       State, and Total, Summer Season, 1996-97 and Prospective Area 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :         :              Area              :   1998
           Crop          :  Usual  :--------------------------------: Area for
           and           : Harvest :      Harvested      :   For    :  Harvest
          State          : Period  :---------------------: Harvest  :as Percent
                         :         :   1996   :   1997   :   1998   :  of 1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :         :  ----------- Acres ----------     Percent
                         :         :
Snap Beans               :         :
  GA                     : Jul-Sep :    3,000      1,900      2,200       116
  MD                     : Jul-Sep :    1,800      1,500      1,500       100
  MI                     : Jul-Oct :    1,500      1,600      1,500        94
  NY                     : Jul-Oct :    3,900      4,900      4,500        92
  VA                     : Jul-Sep :    3,000      3,100      2,600        84
  Total                  :         :   13,200     13,000     12,300        95
                         :         :
Broccoli 1/              :         :
  CA                     : Jul-Sep :   29,000     31,500     33,000       105
                         :         :
Cabbage                  :         :
  GA                     : Jul-Sep :    1,100        800        600        75
  MI                     : Jun-Nov :    1,700      1,900      2,000       105
  NY                     : Jul-Oct :   12,000     13,600     13,800       101
  OH                     : Jun-Sep :    1,900      1,900      2,000       105
  WI                     : Aug-Oct :    4,800      4,800      4,800       100
  Total                  :         :   21,500     23,000     23,200       101
                         :         :
Cantaloups               :         :
  CA                     : Jul-Sep :   38,900     42,200     43,000       102
  GA                     : Jul-Sep :    3,000      4,200      4,000        95
  TX                     : Jul-Sep :    2,500      6,300      5,300        84
  Total                  :         :   44,400     52,700     52,300        99
                         :         :
Carrots                  :         :
  CA                     : Jul-Sep :    9,600     12,800     12,500        98
  MI                     : Jul-Nov :    5,000      5,300      5,200        98
  NY                     : Jul-Dec :      600        600        700       117
  WA                     : Jul-Dec :    2,000      2,100      2,300       110
  Total                  :         :   17,200     20,800     20,700       100
                         :         :
Cauliflower 1/           :         :
  CA                     : Jul-Sep :    9,500     10,500     10,000        95
  NY                     : Jul-Dec :    1,000      1,000      1,200       120
  Total                  :         :   10,500     11,500     11,200        97
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.                                       --continued
 
 
 
 
          Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons:  Area Harvested
                    by Crop, State, and Total, Summer Season,
                  1996-97 and Prospective Area 1998 (continued)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :         :              Area              :   1998
           Crop          :  Usual  :--------------------------------: Area for
           and           : Harvest :      Harvested      :   For    :  Harvest
          State          : Period  :---------------------: Harvest  :as Percent
                         :         :   1996   :   1997   :   1998   :  of 1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :         : ----------- Acres -----------     Percent
                         :         :
Celery 1/                :         :
  CA                     : Jul-Sep :    5,000      5,200      5,600       108
                         :         :
Sweet Corn               :         :
  CA                     : Jul-Sep :   11,200     12,400     12,800       103
  CT                     : Jul-Oct :    4,500      4,400      4,000        91
  IL                     : Jul-Oct :    7,600      7,500      7,600       101
  MA                     : Jul-Oct :    7,000      7,100      6,500        92
  MI                     : Jul-Oct :   10,500     11,500     10,500        91
  NJ                     : Jul-Nov :    9,000      8,600      9,000       105
  NY                     : Jul-Oct :   20,900     21,200     23,400       110
  NC                     : Jun-Aug :    6,000      6,500      7,000       108
  OH                     : Jul-Sep :   14,700     14,200     15,400       108
  PA                     : Jul-Sep :   17,000     16,000     16,000       100
  WI                     : Jul-Sep :    6,800      7,500      7,500       100
  Total                  :         :  115,200    116,900    119,700       102
                         :         :
Cucumbers                :         :
  NJ                     : Jul-Nov :    2,200      2,200      2,200       100
  NY                     : Jul-Dec :    4,100      3,300      4,100       124
  VA                     : Jul-Sep :    2,500      2,600      2,700       104
  Total                  :         :    8,800      8,100      9,000       111
                         :         :
Eggplant                 :         :
  NJ                     : Jul-Nov :      800        900        800        89
                         :         :
Honeydews                :         :
  AZ                     : Jun-Sep :    2,800      2,500      2,400        96
  CA                     : Jul-Sep :   13,500     15,300     15,200        99
  Total                  :         :   16,300     17,800     17,600        99
                         :         :
Head Lettuce             :         :
  CA                     : Jul-Sep :   45,000     49,000     51,000       104
  CO                     : Jul-Sep :    2,700      2,000      3,000       150
  NY                     : Jun-Oct :      800        700        800       114
  Total                  :         :   48,500     51,700     54,800       106
                         :         :
Bell Peppers 1/          :         :
  NJ                     : Jul-Nov :    5,000      4,800      4,600        96
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.                                       --continued
 
 
 
 
          Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons:  Area Harvested
                    by Crop, State, and Total, Summer Season,
                  1996-97 and Prospective Area 1998 (continued)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :         :              Area              :   1998
           Crop          :  Usual  :--------------------------------: Area for
           and           : Harvest :      Harvested      :   For    :  Harvest
          State          : Period  :---------------------: Harvest  :as Percent
                         :         :   1996   :   1997   :   1998   :  of 1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :         :  ----------- Acres ----------     Percent
                         :         :
Tomatoes                 :         :
  AL                     : Jul-Sep :    2,700      2,500      2,300        92
  AR                     : Jun-Jul :      500        550        650       118
  CA                     : Jul-Sep :   18,800     19,700     19,500        99
  MI                     : Jul-Sep :    2,400      2,200      2,300       105
  NJ                     : Jul-Nov :    4,100      4,200      4,100        98
  NY                     : Jul-Oct :    1,900      2,600      2,800       108
  PA                     : Jul-Oct :    4,400      3,800      3,400        89
  VA                     : Jul-Sep :    3,600      3,300      3,300       100
  Total                  :         :   38,400     38,850     38,350        99
                         :         :
Watermelons              :         :
  AL                     : Jul-Sep :    6,600      4,800      4,500        94
  CA                     : Jul-Sep :   11,100     13,300     12,500        94
  GA                     : Jul-Sep :   36,000     31,000     27,000        87
  MS                     : Jul-Aug :    6,400      5,800      7,500       129
  SC                     : Jul-Sep :    9,500      8,500      8,000        94
  TX                     : Jul-Sep :   14,000     13,500     12,000        89
  Total                  :         :   83,600     76,900     71,500        93
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes fresh market and processing.
 
 
 
 
Snap Beans:  Summer fresh market acreage for harvest is forecast at 12,300
acres, down 5 percent from last year and 7 percent less than 1996.
 
Broccoli:  California's acreage for summer harvest is estimated at 33,000
acres, up 5 percent from last year and 14 percent above 1996.  In California,
rains hindered planting and required some replanting of fields.  Harvest is now
proceeding with smaller head sizes reported due to the cooler weather.
 
Cabbage:  Fresh market acreage for harvest is forecast at 23,200 acres, up 1
percent from last year and up 8 percent from 1996.
 
Cantaloups:  Summer cantaloup acreage for harvest is estimated at 52,300 acres,
down 1 percent from last year but 18 percent greater than in 1996.  The acreage
for harvest in Texas may decrease with the current drought conditions.
 
Carrots:  Acreage for fresh market harvest is forecast at 20,700 acres, down
less than 1 percent from last year but 20 percent greater than 1996.  Cooler
temperatures in California have reduced sizes, but the carrots will continue to
size up as the harvest proceeds.
 
Cauliflower:  Acreage for summer harvest is estimated at 11,200 acres, down 3
percent from last year but 7 percent more than two years ago.  California's
early harvest period will have light volume, but volume will pick up in the mid
to late harvest.  Cooler weather caused smaller than normal heads but quality
appears good.
 
Celery:  California's summer acreage for harvest is forecast at 5,600 acres, up
8 percent from 1997 and 12 percent greater than two years ago.
 
Sweet Corn:  Fresh market acreage for harvest is estimated at 119,700 acres, up
2 percent from last year and 4 percent from 1996.  Harvest in California's San
Joaquin Valley had begun by the end of June.  Growers in New York were able to
plant the crop early and spring weather was beneficial for growth.  The start
of harvest was expected for the 4th of July holiday, which is earlier than
usual.  Harvest also began then in Michigan, where yields may be reduced due to
bacterial wilt.
 
Cucumbers:  Acreage for summer harvest is forecast at 9,000 acres, an 11
percent increase from last year and 2 percent above 1996.  Early plantings in
New Jersey were in good condition and the start of harvest in early June was 7
to 10 days earlier than usual.  Prospects are good at the current time.
 
Eggplant:  New Jersey's acreage for summer harvest is estimated at 800 acres,
11 percent less than last year but the same as in 1996.  Hot days and cold
nights have benefitted plant development.  Harvest may begin in the second week
of July.
 
Honeydews:  Fresh market acreage for summer harvest is forecast at 17,600
acres, down 1 percent from last year but 8 percent greater than 1996.  The
melons were growing well in California's San Joaquin Valley at the end of June.
 
Head Lettuce:  Acreage for summer harvest is estimated at 54,800 acres, up 6
percent from last year and 13 percent greater than 1996.  California's May
rainfall was above normal, but growers were able to plant their lettuce between
showers.
 
Bell Peppers:  New Jersey's acreage for summer harvest is forecast at 4,600
acres, a 4 percent decrease from 1997 and off 8 percent from 1996.  Plantings
were behind schedule because of the cold spring weather.  Recent growing
conditions were generally favorable, and prospects are good for the season.
 
Tomatoes:  Fresh market acreage for summer harvest is estimated at 38,350
acres, down 1 percent from last year and down less than 1 percent from 1996.
Spring rains and cool temperatures delayed the planting of California's crop.
The growth of plants was also delayed, and harvest will begin later as a
result.
 
Watermelons:  Summer acreage for harvest is forecast at 71,500 acres, down 7
percent from 1997 and 14 percent less than in 1996.  South Carolina's cool, wet
spring delayed the crop and condition is now fair to good.  Several days of
intense heat and dry conditions caused small fruit to drop off and decrease
yield prospects.  The current drought in Texas may reduce the acreage for
harvest as the season progresses.
 
 
 
 
 
              Strawberries:  Area Harvested, Yield, and Production
                      by Season, State, and Total, 1996-98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :         Area          :   Yield per Acre   :       Production
  Season :----------------------------------------------------------------------
   and   :   Harvested   :  For  :      :      :      :        :        :
  State  :---------------:Harvest: 1996 : 1997 : 1998 :  1996  :  1997  : 1998
         : 1996  : 1997  : 1998  :      :      :      :        :        :
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :-------- Acres -------   ------ Cwt ------    ------ 1,000 Cwt ------
         :
Winter   :
  FL     : 6,000   6,100   6,200   260    290    240    1,560    1,769    1,488
         :
Spring   :
  CA     :25,200  22,600  24,300   540    590    515   13,608   13,334    2,515
  MI     : 1,500   1,500   1,300    40     65     63       60       98       82
  NJ     :   450     400     400    35     45     50       16       18       20
  OR     : 5,200   5,000   4,400    92    100    115      478      500      506
  WA     : 1,300   1,400   1,500    81     70     80      105       98      120
         :
  Total  :33,650  30,900  31,900   424    455    415   14,267   14,048   13,243
         :
Major Sts:
 Total   :39,650  37,000  38,100   399    427    387   15,827   15,817   14,731
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 
 
Strawberries:  Spring strawberry production in the U.S. is estimated at 13.2
million cwt, down 6 percent from last year and 7 percent less than 1996.  Acres
harvested, at 31,900 acres, was 3 percent above a year earlier but 5 percent
less than in 1996.  California's harvest was active at the end of June.  The
crop's condition in Oregon has been very good, but ripening occurred over a
short time period.  In Washington, conditions this spring were cool and wet,
but yields appear to be above last year.
 
 
 
             Onions:  Area Planted and Harvested, and Yield Per Acre
                  by Season, State, and United States, 1997-98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Season     :    Area Planted     :   Area Harvested    :  Yield per Acre
       and      :---------------------------------------------------------------
      State     :   1997   :   1998   :   1997   :   1998   :  1997   :  1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                :                             Acres
                :
Spring          :
  AZ            :   2,100      2,500      2,100      2,500      355       400
  CA            :   7,400      7,000      7,200      6,800      445       440
  GA            :  16,200     15,000     15,800     14,500      220       185
  TX            :  12,400     12,000      8,100     11,400      205       255
  Total         :  38,100     36,500     33,200     35,200      274       272
                :
Summer 1/       :
  Non-storage   :
    NV 2/       :   1,800                 1,700                 540
    NM          :   6,600      7,300      6,400      7,300      470       500
    TX          :   3,900      4,200      3,700      4,000      260       290
    WA          :     900        850        900        850      370       340
    Total       :  13,200     12,350     12,700     12,150      411       420
                :
  Storage 3/    :
    CO          :  18,000     19,000     15,300     18,500      350
    ID          :   8,400      8,200      8,200      8,000      690
    MI          :   6,200      4,900      6,100      4,500      320
    MN          :     600        460        550        440      300
    NY          :  12,500     13,100     12,200      7,500      300
    OH          :     480        480        470        470      415
    OR          :
     Malheur    :  12,200     12,200     12,000     12,000      620
     West       :   7,600      7,600      7,400      7,500      450
    UT          :   2,500      2,500      2,400      2,400      485
    WA          :  16,800     17,800     16,500     17,500      520
    WI          :   2,000      2,100      1,900      2,000      390
    Total       :  87,280     88,340     83,020     80,810      461
                :
    CA 4/       :  30,000     33,000     29,000     31,000      440
                :
    Summer      : 130,480    133,690    124,720    123,960      451
                :
US              : 168,580    170,190    157,920    159,160      414
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Estimates for 1997 revised.
2/  Estimates to be published in "Vegetables 1998 Summary" in January 1999.
3/  Yield and production for 1998 will be published September 10, 1998.
4/  Primarily processing.
 
 
 
 
             Onions:  Area Planted and Harvested, and Yield Per Acre
                  by Season, State, and United States, 1996-97
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Season     :              Production              :   Shrinkage and Loss
       and      :---------------------------------------------------------------
      State     :    1996    :    1997    :  Ind 1998  :    1996    :   1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                :                           1,000 Cwt
                :
Spring          :
  AZ            :      760          746        1,000
  CA            :    2,736        3,204        2,992
  GA            :    1,764        3,476        2,683
  TX            :    4,030        1,661        2,907
  Total         :    9,290        9,087        9,582
                :
Summer 1/       :
  Non-storage   :
    NV 2/       :    1,102          918
    NM          :    3,266        3,008        3,650
    TX          :      924          962        1,160
    WA          :      266          333          289
    Total       :    5,558        5,221        5,099
                :
  Storage 3/    :
    CO          :    5,200        5,355                    1,404        1,392
    ID          :    5,590        5,658                    1,006        1,132
    MI          :    1,798        1,952                      359          397
    MN          :      114          165                        3            3
    NY          :    2,736        3,660                      391          351
    OH          :      186          195                       19           20
    OR          :
     Malheur    :    7,080        7,440                    1,487        1,934
     West       :    2,394        3,330                      335          533
    UT          :      987        1,164                      207          160
    WA          :    6,477        8,580                    1,027        1,380
    WI          :      629          741                       57           52
    Total       :   33,191       38,240                    6,295        7,354
                :
    CA 4/       :   13,330       12,760                      270          258
                :
    Summer      :   52,079       56,221        5,099       6,565        7,612
                :
US              :   61,369       65,308       14,681       6,565        7,612
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Estimates for 1996 and 1997 revised.
2/  Estimates to be published in "Vegetables 1998 Summary" in January 1999.
3/  Yield and production for 1998 will be published September 10, 1998.
4/  Primarily processing.
 
 
 
 
                   Onions:  Price and Value by Season, State,
                          and United States, 1996-97 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Season       :        Value Per Cwt        :        Total Value
         and         :----------------------------------------------------------
        State        :     1996     :     1997     :     1996     :    1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     :    ------ Dollars -----         ---- 1,000 Dollars ---
                     :
Spring               :
  AZ                 :     8.56          12.60           6,505          9,403
  CA                 :     9.80          14.30          26,813         45,817
  GA                 :    30.50          25.60          53,800         88,990
  TX                 :     9.68          16.90          39,010         28,071
  Total              :    13.60          19.00         126,128        172,281
                     :
Summer               :
  Non-storage        :
    NV               :    14.50          14.50          15,979         13,311
    NM               :    13.70          14.40          44,744         43,315
    TX               :    12.90          14.00          11,920         13,468
    WA               :    21.20          17.40           5,639          5,794
    Total            :    14.10          14.50          78,282         75,888
                     :
  Storage            :
    CO               :    13.60          12.50          51,626         49,538
    ID               :    10.20          12.60          46,757         57,028
    MI               :    10.80          11.20          15,541         17,353
    MN               :     8.00           8.00             888          1,296
    NY               :     9.77          12.70          22,911         42,024
    OH               :     8.00           9.00           1,336          1,575
    OR               :
     Malheur         :    10.10          12.60          56,489         69,376
     West            :     9.15          15.60          18,836         43,633
    UT               :     8.00           8.84           6,240          8,875
    WA               :     9.14          12.10          49,813         87,120
    WI               :    10.50           5.89           5,988          4,056
    Total            :    10.30          12.40         276,425        381,874
                     :
    CA 2/            :     7.71           7.84         100,736         98,052
                     :
    Summer           :    10.00          11.40         455,443        555,814
                     :
US                   :    10.60          12.60         581,571        728,095
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 and 1997 revised.
2/  Primarily processing.
 
 
 
 
Spring Onions:  Production of spring onions in 1998 was estimated at 9.58
million cwt, up 5 percent from last year and 3 percent above 1996.  The crop
was produced on 35,200 acres, averaging 272 cwt per acre.  By mid-June in
Georgia, harvest was nearly complete, only slightly behind normal.  Condition
of the crop was mostly fair to good through the season.  In California, very
few problems were reported once fields had dried to allow harvesting.  Growers
were reporting large bulb sizes and high yields.
 
Summer, Non-Storage Onions:  Production of non-storage onions is forecast at
5.10 million cwt, up 18 percent from last year's comparable States.  Harvest
area covers 12,150 acres, up 10 percent from last year's comparable States.
Washington's Walla Walla onion harvest started around mid-June with yields less
than normal as some seeders were occurring.  Quality is good to above average.
California's weather conditions appear good with ample moisture available.
 
Summer, Storage Onions:  Growers expect to harvest 80,810 acres of storage
onions (excluding California) this year.  This is a 3 percent decline from last
year.  New York's onion growing mucklands were hit hard by hail storms in late
May and early June.  Preliminary reports showed almost total crop failure in
Orange County, which has approximately half of the State's onion acreage.  Most
of the damage was from hail but heavy rains also flooded fields.  Michigan's
crop was planted early due to favorable early spring weather.  Wind damage was
reported for some fields, but the crop is developing well at this time.
Colorado's planting was right on schedule this year and recent warm days and
cool nights have the crop in better condition than last year.  Irrigation water
supplies are adequate.  Planting in Oregon was delayed due to a wet May, but
growers did plant all the acreage they intended to plant.  Weather since
planting has been favorable.
 
1997 Storage Onions, Revised:  The final tally of 1997 storage onion production
was 38.2 million cwt (excluding California), up 15 percent from 1996.
Harvested acreage, at 83,020 acres, was 7 percent above comparable 1996
acreage.  Average yield of 461 cwt per acre, was up 33 cwt from 1996.  The 1997
storage crop was valued at $382 million, an increase of 38 percent from 1996.
Average prices per cwt increased from $10.30 in 1996 to $12.40 in 1997.  With
spring and non-storage summer onions added in, total value of 1997 harvested
onions was $728 million, up 25 percent from 1996.
 
 
 
         Processing Vegetables:  Area Planted, Production, and Expected
                   Utilization by Crop, United States, 1996-98
                                (Domestic Units)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                 Area Planted                  :
     Utilization    :-----------------------------------------------: Contract
         and        :           :         1997          :           :  1998 as
        Crop        :   1996    :-----------------------:   1998    : % of 1997
                    :   Total   :   Total   :Contract 1/:Contract 1/:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :-------------------- Acres -------------------    Percent
                    :
All Processing      :
  Snap Beans        :   216,230     204,480     202,540     206,300      102
  Sweet Corn        :   492,000     476,930     475,930     478,460      101
  Cucumbers for     :
   Pickles          :   110,040     107,780      93,170      95,580      103
  Green Peas        :   259,200     292,600     292,600     293,500      100
  Tomatoes          :   345,370     293,700     290,700     297,420      102
  Total             : 1,422,840   1,375,490   1,354,940   1,371,260      101
                    :
Canning             :
  Snap Beans        :   151,690     134,280     132,940     128,000       96
  Sweet Corn        :   286,600     248,730     248,030     256,100      103
  Green Peas        :   127,200     126,200     126,200     124,400       99
                    :
Freezing            :
  Snap Beans        :    64,540      70,200      69,600      78,300      113
  Sweet Corn        :   205,400     228,200     227,900     221,500       97
  Green Peas        :   132,000     166,400     166,400     169,100      102
                    :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :                  Production                   :
                    :-----------------------------------------------: Contract
                    :           :         1997          :           :  1998 as
                    :   1996    :-----------------------:   1998    : % of 1997
                    :   Total   :   Total   :Contract 1/:Contract 1/:
                    :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :-------------------- Tons --------------------    Percent
                    :
All Processing      :
  Green Peas        :   413,960     475,940     475,940     481,600      101
  Tomatoes          :11,408,740   9,972,650   9,864,770   9,895,340      100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.
 
 
 
 
         Processing Vegetables:  Area Planted, Production, and Expected
                   Utilization by Crop, United States, 1996-98
                                 (Metric Units)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                       Area Planted
     Utilization    :-----------------------------------------------------------
         and        :              :            1997             :
        Crop        :     1996     :-----------------------------:     1998
                    :    Total     :    Total     : Contract 1/  : Contract 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                         Hectares
                    :
All Processing      :
  Snap Beans        :      87,510        82,750         81,970         83,490
  Sweet Corn        :     199,110       193,010        192,600        193,630
  Cucumbers for     :
   Pickles          :      44,530        43,620         37,700         38,680
  Green Peas        :     104,900       118,410        118,410        118,780
  Tomatoes          :     139,770       118,860        117,640        120,360
  Total             :     575,810       556,650        548,330        554,940
                    :
Canning 2/          :
  Snap Beans        :      61,390        54,340         53,800         51,800
  Sweet Corn        :     115,980       100,660        100,380        103,640
  Green Peas        :      51,480        51,070         51,070         50,340
                    :
Freezing 2/         :
  Snap Beans        :      26,120        28,410         28,170         31,690
  Sweet Corn        :      83,120        92,350         92,230         89,640
  Green Peas        :      53,420        67,340         67,340         68,430
                    :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :                        Production
                    :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :              :            1997             :
                    :     1996     :-----------------------------:     1998
                    :    Total     :    Total     : Contract 1/  : Contract 1/
                    :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :                        Metric Tons
                    :
All Processing      :
  Green Peas        :     375,540       431,760        431,760        436,900
  Tomatoes          :  10,349,840     9,047,040      8,949,170      8,976,900
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.
2/  Utilization may not add to total crop because of rounding.
 
 
 
 
                Snap Beans for Processing:  Area Planted by State
                     and Utilization, United States, 1996-98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                 Area Planted                  :
        State       :-----------------------------------------------: Contract
         and        :           :         1997          :           :  1998 as
     Utilization    :   1996    :-----------------------:   1998    : % of 1997
                    :   Total   :   Total   :Contract 1/:Contract 1/:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :  ------------------ Acres ------------------     Percent
                    :
IL                  :   19,600      12,100      11,700      16,000       137
IN                  :    1,200       4,000       4,000       4,100       103
MI                  :   22,000      23,200      23,200      23,000        99
NY                  :   21,100      23,500      23,500      22,400        95
OR                  :   22,500      23,700      23,700      22,800        96
PA                  :    6,800      11,600      11,600       6,300        54
WI                  :   68,600      63,500      62,900      65,900       105
                    :
Oth Sts 2/          :   54,430      42,880      41,940      45,800       109
                    :
US                  :  216,230     204,480     202,540     206,300       102
                    :
Canning             :  151,690     134,280     132,940     128,000        96
                    :
Freezing            :   64,540      70,200      69,600      78,300       113
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.
2/  1996-97 -  AR, CA, DE, FL, GA, MD, MN, MO, NJ, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA,
    and WA.
    1998 - AR, CA, DE, FL, GA, MD, MN, MO, NJ, NC, OH, OK, TN, TX, VA, and WA.
 
 
 
 
                Sweet Corn for Processing:  Area Planted by State
                     and Utilization, United States, 1996-98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                 Area Planted                  :
        State       :-----------------------------------------------: Contract
         and        :           :         1997          :           :  1998 as
     Utilization    :   1996    :-----------------------:   1998    : % of 1997
                    :   Total   :   Total   :Contract 1/:Contract 1/:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :  ------------------ Acres ------------------     Percent
                    :
ID                  :   17,700      15,200      15,200      16,800       111
IL                  :   22,900      15,300      15,300      14,500        95
MI                  :    3,900
MN                  :  127,500     128,600     128,600     127,200        99
NY                  :   41,900      40,400      40,100      43,700       109
OR                  :   49,100      41,500      41,500      37,800        91
PA                  :    2,800       2,800       2,800       3,800       136
WA                  :   78,000      89,600      89,600      98,300       110
WI                  :  120,100     115,800     115,100     116,000       101
                    :
Oth Sts 2/          :   28,100      27,730      27,730      20,360        73
                    :
US                  :  492,000     476,930     475,930     478,460       101
                    :
Canning             :  286,600     248,730     248,030     256,100       103
                    :
Freezing            :  205,400     228,200     227,900     221,500        97
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.
2/  1996 - DE, IA, MD, NJ,  and OH.
    1997 - DE, IN, IA, MD, NJ, and TN.
    1998 - DE, IA, MD, NJ, TN, and VA.
 
 
 
 
                  Cucumbers for Pickles:  Area Planted by State
                           and United States, 1996-98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                      Area Planted                      :
           :--------------------------------------------------------: Contract
   State   :        :        1997        :     1998 Contract 1/     :  1998 as
           :  1996  :-----------------------------------------------: % of 1997
           : Total  : Total  :Contract 1/: Early  :  Late  :  All   :
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :------------------------ Acres ------------------------    Percent
           :
CA         :  6,300    4,400     4,400          *        *    4,500      102
CO         :    900      780       780        150               150       19
FL         :  6,500    6,500     4,300          *        *    4,500      105
GA         :                                1,800    1,200    3,000
IN         :  2,400    2,000     2,000      1,500             1,500       75
MI         : 28,000   26,000    22,500     23,000            23,000      102
NC         : 14,100   18,300    13,300     12,500    1,500   14,000      105
OH         :  3,300    3,000     2,900      2,900             2,900      100
SC         :  5,000    4,000     4,000      3,000             3,000       75
TX         : 11,600   11,500     8,900          *        *   11,500      129
WI         :  5,000    3,700     3,700      3,900             3,900      105
           :
Oth Sts 2/ : 26,940   27,600    26,390     19,270    4,360   23,630       90
           :
US         :110,040  107,780    93,170     74,620   20,960   95,580      103
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*   Not published to avoid disclosure of individual operations.
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.
2/  1996-97 - AL, AR, DE, GA, IL, LA, MD, MA, MN, MO, NJ, NY, OR, VA, and WA.
    1998 - AL, DE, GA, LA, MD, MA, MN, MO, NJ, NY, OR, and WA.
 
 
 
 
                Green Peas for Processing:  Area Planted by State
                     and Utilization, United States, 1996-98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                 Area Planted                  :
        State       :-----------------------------------------------: Contract
         and        :           :         1997          :           :  1998 as
     Utilization    :   1996    :-----------------------:   1998    : % of 1997
                    :   Total   :   Total   :Contract 1/:Contract 1/:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :  ------------------ Acres ------------------     Percent
                    :
MN                  :   82,900      90,000      90,000      88,600        98
NY                  :   15,100      18,900      18,900      19,500       103
OR                  :   22,400      28,100      28,100      32,500       116
WA                  :   43,500      54,400      54,400      55,900       103
WI                  :   57,800      62,500      62,500      57,500        92
                    :
Oth Sts 2/          :   37,500      38,700      38,700      39,500       102
                    :
US                  :  259,200     292,600     292,600     293,500       100
                    :
Canning             :  127,200     126,200     126,200     124,400        99
                    :
Freezing            :  132,000     166,400     166,400     169,100       102
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.
2/  1996-98 - CA, DE, ID, IL, IA, MA, ME, MD, MI, NJ, PA, and TN.
 
 
 
 
        Green Peas for Processing:  Area Harvested, Yield, and Production
                       by State and United States, 1996-98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                           Area Harvested
           :--------------------------------------------------------------------
   State   :                :              1997               :    Indicated
           :      1996      :---------------------------------:      1998
           :     Total      :     Total      :  Contract 1/   :   Contract 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                               Acres
           :
MN         :     77,500           75,200           75,200            79,400
NY         :     14,400           18,200           18,200            18,200
OR         :     22,100           27,800           27,800            31,500
WA         :     42,200           53,700           53,700            54,800
WI         :     54,700           58,000           58,000            57,500
           :
Oth Sts 2/ :     36,400           36,000           36,000            38,100
           :
US         :    247,300          268,900          268,900           279,500
 
           :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :      Yield per Acre      :               Production
           :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :      :       : Indicated :       :        1997         : Indicated
           : 1996 : 1997  :   1998    : 1996  :---------------------:   1998
           :Total : Total :Contract 1/: Total :  Total  :Contract 1/:Contract 1/
           :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                                Tons
           :
MN         : 1.59   1.48      1.50     123,230  111,300    111,300     119,100
NY         : 1.92   2.21      2.00      27,650   40,220     40,220      36,400
OR         : 1.64   1.54      1.60      36,240   42,810     42,810      50,400
WA         : 1.95   1.95      2.00      82,290  104,720    104,720     109,600
WI         : 1.61   1.80      1.70      88,070  104,400    104,400      97,750
           :
Oth Sts 2/ : 1.55   2.01      1.79      56,480   72,490     72,490      68,350
           :
US         : 1.67   1.77      1.72     413,960  475,940    475,940     481,600
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.
2/  1996-98 - CA, DE, ID, IL, IA, ME, MD, MI, NJ, PA, and TN.
 
 
 
 
              Tomatoes for Processing:  Area Planted and Production
                       by State and United States, 1996-98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                 Area Planted                  :
                    :-----------------------------------------------: Contract
        State       :           :         1997          :           :  1998 as
                    :   1996    :-----------------------:   1998    : % of 1997
                    :   Total   :   Total   :Contract 1/:Contract 1/:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :-------------------- Acres -------------------    Percent
                    :
CA                  :   318,000     270,000     267,000     280,000      105
CO                  :       220
IN                  :     6,600       6,400       6,400       7,100      111
MI                  :     4,600       3,800       3,800       2,200       58
OH                  :    10,900       9,100       9,100       5,800       64
PA                  :     1,100       1,200       1,200       1,200      100
                    :
Oth Sts 2/          :     3,950       3,200       3,200       1,120       35
                    :
US                  :   345,370     293,700     290,700     297,420      102
                    :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :                  Production                   :
                    :-----------------------------------------------: Contract
                    :           :         1997          :           :  1998 as
                    :   1996    :-----------------------:   1998    : % of 1997
                    :   Total   :   Total   :Contract 1/:Contract 1/:
                    :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :-------------------- Tons --------------------    Percent
                    :
CA                  :10,660,780   9,349,600   9,241,720   9,400,000      102
CO                  :     3,900
IN                  :   180,480     157,440     157,440     187,660      119
MI                  :   143,000     123,500     123,500      65,600       53
OH                  :   307,650     252,670     252,670     149,000       59
PA                  :    22,300      27,010      27,010      32,700      121
                    :
Oth Sts 2/          :    90,630      62,430      62,430      60,380       97
                    :
US                  :11,408,740   9,972,650   9,864,770   9,895,340      100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.
2/  1996-97 - DE, IL, MD, NJ, NY, TX, and VA.
    1998 - DE, MD, NJ, and NY.
 
 
 
 
Snap Beans:  Processors contracted 206,300 acres for harvest in 1998, up 2
percent from last year.  Canning acreage, at 128,000 acres, was off 4 percent
from last year.  Area contracted for freezing, at 78,300 acres was up 13
percent from 1997.  New Jersey's acreage is down from April due to unfavorable
weather that interrupted planting schedules.  Early plantings were delayed in
Oregon by cold, wet weather, and some processors may decrease their contracted
acres if rain continues.  Harvest in Oregon may be delayed by approximately 5
days.
 
Sweet Corn:  Processors contracted 478,460 acres for harvest in 1998, up 1
percent from last year.  Canning acreage, at 256,100 acres, was up 3 percent
from 1997.  Area contracted for freezing, at 221,500 acres, was off 3 percent
from last year.  Rain and cold weather in May delayed planting of Oregon's
sweet corn.  Harvest will probably be delayed and finish late.
 
Cucumbers for Pickles:  Pickle processors contracted 95,580 acres for harvest
in 1998, up 3 percent from last year.  Harvest is underway in California with
good quality reported.
 
Green Peas:  Production is forecast at 481,600 tons, up 1 percent from last
year.  Area for harvest, at 279,500 acres, was up 4 percent from 1997.
Expected yield, of 1.72 tons per acre was 0.05 tons less than a year ago.  Area
contracted for planting was 293,500 acres, up less than 1  percent from 1997.
Area contracted for canning, at 124,400 acres, was down 1 percent from last
year. Area contracted for freezing, at 169,100 acres, was 2 percent more than
in 1997. New Jersey had a good season for green peas.  Yields were at normal
levels and quality was good.  In Oregon, early-planted fields were hurt by dry,
cold weather.  Rains in late May were beneficial to the crop.
 
Tomatoes:  Production is forecast at 9.90 million tons, down less than 1
percent from last year.  Area contracted, at 297,420 acres, was up 2 percent
from 1997.  In California's San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys, growers were
spraying for fungus and blight at the end of June.
 
 
 
                               Index
                           Fresh Market
                                                               Page
By Crops
     Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Harvested Acres of Selected Vegetables, Melons and Dual Purpose Crops
     Beans, Snap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
     Broccoli. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
     Cabbage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
     Cantaloups  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
     Carrots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
     Cauliflower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
     Celery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
     Corn, Sweet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
     Cucumbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
     Eggplant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
     Honeydew Melons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
     Lettuce, Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
     Onions, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
     Peppers, Bell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
     Strawberries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
     Tomatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
     Watermelons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
 
                            Processing
By Crops
     Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Principal Vegetables
     Beans, Snap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
     Corn, Sweet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
     Cucumbers for Processing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
     Peas, Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
     Tomatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
 
The next "Vegetables" report will be released at 3 p.m. ET on September 10,
1998.
 
 
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