The Arizona all orange crop is expected to total 1.95 million boxes, down

9 percent from the previous forecast and down 18 percent from last season.
Navel orange harvest is complete. Valencia orange harvest is approximately

43 percent complete. The 1992-93 Texas al] orange forecast is 510,000 boxes.
up 11 percent from last month. Harvest of early and mid-season varieties is
complete and Valencia picking is almost finished. Last season's production was
only 30,000 boxes as trees recovered from the December 1989 freeze.

The April 1 U.S. a1] orange production forecast has deviated from final
production by an average of 176,000 tons over the past 10 seasons, ranging from
a low of 0 tons in 1984-85 to a high of 506,000 tons in 1989-90.

Florida Frozen Concentrated Juice Yield: All orange FCOJ projected yield
remains unchanged at a record high

1.57 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix concentrate. The final yield for

early and mid-season varieties is 1.52 gallons per box. The 1991-92 season

final yield for mid-season varieties is 1.47. The Valencia yield of

1.66 gallons per box remains unchanged this month. Last season’s final yield

for Valencias was a record high 1.70 gallons per box.

Grapefruit: The 1992-93 U.S. grapefruit crop is forecast at 2.70 million
tons, up 21 percent from last season and up 20 percent from the
1990-91 season. Florida’s forecast is 52.8 million boxes, down 2 percent from
March 1 but 25 percent more than last season's crop. Harvest is over
74 percent complete as of April 1. The Florida white seedless grapefruit
forecast is 25.0 million boxes, unchanged from March 1 but up 31 percent from
last season. The colored seedless forecast is 26.0 million boxes, down
4 percent from the previous forecast but 18 percent more than the 1991-92 crop.
The seedy grapefruit crop is expected to reach 1.80 million boxes, a 50 percent
increase over last season. Movement of white and colored grapefruit averaged
more than 2.50 million boxes per week during March. Harvest of seedless
grapefruit is approximately 74 percent complete.

California’s “Desert Valley" grapefruit forecast is 3.50 million boxes,
unchanged from January 1. This is also the same production level as last
season. Fruit quality remains good. The first forecast for California “Other
Areas” grapefruit is 6.00 million boxes. down 8 percent from the 1991-92
season. Spring rains have benefitted the trees and aided fruit growth. Fruit
quality is good. Arizona’s forecast, at 2.20 million boxes, is down 8 percent
from January 1 and down 21 percent from last season. Approximately

28 percent of the crop has been harvested. The Texas grapefruit forecast has
been increased 13 percent to 1.80 million boxes. The Texas citrus industry
continues to recover from devastating freezes during the 1980's. Harvest is
nearly complete.

The change in U.S. grapefruit production between the April 1 forecast and the
final production averaged 52,000 tons over the past 10 seasons. ranging from
0 tons in 1991-92 to 97,000 tons in 1984-85.

Lemons: The forecast for the U. S$. lemon crop is 908,000 tons, up 3 percent
from the January 1 forecast and up 18 percent from last season.

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1993 4 NASS, USDA


Citrus: Production, Use, and Value,
California and United States, 1991-92

Crop, State, : . Utilization of Production: Value
and : Bearing :Production: ------------------------- : of
Season : Acreage : Fresh Processed Production

AcreS — ---------- 1,000 Tons ----------- 1,000 Dollars

Total Citrus

CA :
1991-92* : 254,100 3,518 2,168 1,350 751,682

US :
1991-92* : 883,70 12,449 4,178 8,271 2,456,758

* Revised.

US GRAPEFRUIT PRODUCTION
1984-1993

° MILLION TONS

2.8 28

2.6
BB ove ry oat ee BE NNN reer

YW.

16-

T

r ‘ . r r T r = T
1984 1986 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993
UP 21% FROM THE 1991-92 SEASON

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1993 5 NASS, USDA


Report Features

The next “Crop Production” report will be released at 3:00 p.m. ET on
May 11, 1993.

Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Crops Branch of the National
Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information.

John 0. Witzig, Chief (202) 720-2127

Field Crops Section

Bill Dowdy, Head (202) 720-3843
Herb Eldrige - Sugar, Tobacco, Hay (202) 720-7621
Dan Kerestes - Soybeans, Minor Oilseeds, Rice (202) 720-9526
David Mueller - Weekly Crop Weather (202) 720-2157
Vaughn Siegenthaler - Rye, Sorghum, Wheat (202) 720-8068

Charles Van Lahr - Barley, Corn, Oats, Pasture Condition (202) 720-7369

Fruit, Vegetable & Special Crops Section

Stephen Rope), Head (202) 720-3843
Jim Brewster - Fruits, Fresh Vegetables (202) 720-7688
Arvin Budge - Potatoes, Dry Beans, Onions (202) 720-4285
Kirby Cavett - Peanuts (202) 720-8843
Kevin Hintzman - Fruits, Citrus, Nuts (202) 720-5412
Roger Latham - Cotton (202) 720-5944
David Mueller - Fresh and Processing Vegetables (202) 720-6054

Ginger Root Revision

The 1992 ginger root estimate has been revised up to 11.6 million pounds.
Revisions normally would be published in August but data became available that
permitted the change to be made at this time.

Ginger Root: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production,

HI: 190 250 290 «50,000 48,000 40,000 9,500 12,000 11,600

1/ 1992 revised.

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1993 18 NASS, USDA


Peanuts for Nuts: Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production,
by State and United States, 1991-1992

: Area Planted
State ees
: 1991 1992
AL : 278.0 237.
FL : 126.0 88.
GA : 900.0 675.
NM 2 22.7 al.
NC : 162.0 153.
OK z 110.0 100.
Sc 3 14.5 13.
TX : 330.0 308.
VA : 96.0 94.
US : 2,039.2 1,689.6 2,015.7 1,672.1
1991 1992 1991 1992
------ Pounds ------- 0 --eee 1,000 Pounds -----
AL 2,305 2,505 638,485 591,180
FL 2,370 2,530 279,660 202,400
GA 2,490 2,705 2,228,550 1,820,465
NM : 2,250 2,760 51,075 58,236
NC : 2,850 2,660 461,700 406,980
OK : 2,300 2,410 243,800 236,180
SC 2,400 2,500 33,600 32,500
1X 2.100 2.230 682,500 680,150
VA 3,200 2,755 307,200 256.215
US 2,444 2,562 4,926,570 4,284,306
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1993 10 NASS, USDA


Citrus Fruit Footnotes

i/ The crop year begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with
year harvest is completed.

2/ Net lbs. per box: oranges-CA & AZ-75, FL-90, TX-85:; grapefruit-CA Desert
& AZ-64, CA Other-67, FL-85, TX-80; lemons-76; tangelos, K-Early Citrus,
& Temples- 90; tangerines-CA and AZ-75, FL-95.

3/ Navel and miscellaneous varieties in CA and AZ. Early and mid-season
varieties in FL and TX, including small quantities of tangerines in TX.

4/ Due to the severe freeze of December 1989, TX had no commercial production
for the 1990-91 season.

5/ TX estimated at 425 tons for 1991-92.

&/ 1991-92 crop revised.

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1993 7 NASS, USDA


Citrus Fruit:
and United States

Crop
and
State

Utilized Production by Crop, State,
1991-92 and Forecasted Apri] 1, 1993 1/

Boxes

Utilized Production

Utilized Production
Ton Equivalent

Oranges
Early Mid &
Navel 3/
AZ
CA
FL
TX 4/
US
Valencia
AZ
CA

TX 4/ 5/

TX 4/

Temples
FL
Grapefruit
White Seedless
FL
Colored Seedless

Other
FL
All
AZ
CA
Desert

Other Areas 6/

Total 6/

Tangelos
FL

K-Early Citrus
FL

550
15,800
87,500

103,850
1,200
9,800

64,100
75,100
1,750
25,600
151,600
178,950

2,500

21,700
21,800
1,600
2,400
3,500
4,500
8.000
45,100
55,500
600
1,350
1,950
3,900
4,100
14,800
18,900

2,650

780
35,100
83,400

20
119,300

1,600
32,200
56,400

10
90,210

2,380
67,300
139,800
30
209,510

2,350

19,100
22,100
1,200
2,800

3,500
6,500
10,000
42,400
65
55,265

1,200
2,400
2,600
6,200

5,100
15,100
20,200

2,600

750
47,000
114,400
450
162,600

1,200
27,000
72,000

60
100,260

1,950
74,000
186,400
510
262,860

2,600

25,000
26,000
1,800
2,200

3,500
6,000
9,500
52,800
1,800
66,300

850
2,500
2,800
6,150

4,900
19,000
23,900

3,050

20
593
3,937
4,550
45
368
2,885
3,298
65
961
6,822
7,848

113

922
927
68

77
112
150
262
1,917

2,256

29
1,317
3,753
5,100

60
1,208
2,538
3,806

89
2,525
6,291
8,906

106

n

812
940

112

5,148
6,958
45
1,013
3,240
3
4,301
73
2,776
8,388
11,259

117

1,063
1,105

Crop Production
April 1993

Agricultural Statistics Board

NASS, USDA


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Papayas:

Area and Fresh Production, by Month, Hawaii,
1992 and Forecasted April 1, 1993

Fresh Production

Month

-- 1,000 Pounds --

4,785 4,760
4,010 5,195
3,960
4,445
4,940
4,970

Peanuts for Nuts:

Farm Marketing Percents, by Month,
State, and United States, 1991 and 1992 Crop Years

1992 Crop

60.
65.
56.
10

25.
43.

WARHHO

Or CoO

an

l/ January of the following year.

Crop Production
April 1993

35.
29.
36.
71.
59.
59.

44.

Mowers

2.0 0.2
2.0 0.1
3.1 0.2
14.1 1.8 2.0
24.8 7.9 0.5
11.7 2.3 1.3
7.8 1.6 0.4
3.5 0.4
2.9 0.2
10.9 1.1
20.3 4.4 2.9
28.6 6.7 1.3
18.8 6.6 4.1
13.9 2.6 0.8

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA


Crop Agricultural
e Statistics
Production Service

United States
Department of
Agriculture

Washington, D.C.

Released April 12, 1993, by the Agricultural Statistics Board. Forecasts refer
to April 1, 1993.

Spring Potato Production Down 8 Percent

Spring potato production is forecast at 19.8 million cwt, down 8 percent from
last year and 4 percent below 1991. The blizzard of 1993 heavily damaged
fields in Florida and rains delayed early planting in

North Carolina.

Citrus production is forecast at 15.4 million tons, a 24 percent increase over
last season. A large increase in the Florida orange crop is primarily
responsible for the rise in citrus production.

Orange production is forecast at 11.3 million tons, down 1 percent from March 1
but 26 percent more than last season's crop. This month's decrease is mainly
due to a decrease in the Florida early and mid-season crop. Harvest is
complete for the early and mid-season varieties in Florida.

All grapefruit production, including the initial forecast for California’s
“Other Areas” crop is 2.70 million tons, up 21 percent from last season and
20 percent more than the 1990-91 season. The California "Other Areas” crop is
expected to be 7 percent smaller than last year. The large increase over last
season at the U.S. level is primarily due to a much larger grapefruit crop in
Florida.

Report features are located at the end of this report. For information call
(202) 720-2127. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.

Cr Pr 2-2 (4-93)


March Weather Summary: March lived up to its reputation as a transitional
month, featuring strong. slow-moving storm systems and

wild temperature fluctuations. But in the East. a monstrous storm

(March 12-13) and a subsequent arctic outbreak (March 14-15) overshadowed other

weather events. The record-setting storm, however, was the last in a month-

long series of significant snowstorms in the Northeast, and was followed by

several heavy rainfall events, resulting in substantial flooding.

Temperatures averaged as much as 6 degrees F above normal in the Southwest.
where stretches of warm, dry weather allowed the region to recover from its
wettest winter on record. The Northwest welcomed near-normal temperatures
after a harsh winter. East of the Rockies, temperatures ranged from much above
normal in the northern High Plains to below normal elsewhere.

The latest Palmer Drought Severity chart shows that more of the Nation is
facing wetness-related problems than drought. The areal coverage of severe to
extreme drought has fallen to its lowest level since early 1987. However, a
stripe of dryness remains from Washington State eastward across the northern
Rockies and northern Plains. In the Pacific Northwest, summer water supplies
are largely dependent upon reservoirs, which in some areas are quite low due to
a seventh consecutive season of sub-normal precipitation. But farther south,
California nears the end of its wet season with its best water supply prospects
in a decade. Farther east, locations that are battling excessive wetness
include the centra) Plains, the Corn Belt, and the East from New York southward
into Georgia. Pockets of wetness also exist along the central Gulf coast.

Early in the month, a powerful storm rode up the east coast, sending Middle
Atlantic rivers out of their banks, hurling gale force easterlies, and dumping
heavy mountain snows. But less than 10 days later, the early-month system was
dwarfed by a storm whose central pressure fell explosively from about

1,000 millibars (29.54 inches of mercury) on the morning of March 12 in the
western Gulf of Mexico, to 960 millibars (28.35 inches of mercury) over the
Chesapeake Bay during the evening of March 13. The strength, size, and late-
season nature of the storm led to the demolition of dozens of all-time
barometric, monthly snowfall, and daily minimum temperature records from the
Gulf coast to New England.

Warm, dry weather became established over the Southwest early in the month, and
moved erratically eastward. By March 7, warmth spread into the Northern
Plains, as Billings, MT, attained 65 degrees F. Spring-like conditions were
temporarily pushed west of the Rockies by an arctic high pressure system at
mid-month. Farther east, temperatures fell to 21 degrees F in Mobile, AL, and
2 degrees F in Birmingham, AL, on March 14. In southern Georgia, peach blooms
were subjected to more than 20 hours of sub-freezing temperatures over a
2-night span. Ground crops in the Southeast also sustained damage, especially
where strong winds blew off protective coverings,

Although warm weather returned to the northern Plains after mid-month, winter
Clung stubbornly in the East. On March 19, Burlington, VT, notched its latest
-10 degrees F reading on record. Late in the month, a ribbon of record-setting
warmth stretched through the High Plains, while storm systems affected the East
and the West. Between March 24 and 26, temperatures soared into the low 80's
as far north as Montana.

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1993 12 NASS, USDA


Peanuts Yor Nuts:
and United States,

Price and Value. by State

1991-92

Price per Pound

Value of Production

187,715
73,551
630,680
16,089
126,506
69,483
9,979
191,100
86,938

1,

180,310
57,886
551,601
18,985
126,164
76,522
9,425
182,960
81,476

285.329

Crop Production
April 1993

1

Agricultural Statistics Board

NASS, USDA


Potatoes: Area Planted, Harvested, Yield. and Production,
by Seasonal Group, State, and United States, 1991-93
Seasonal : Area : :
Group Drees cece eee eee eee eee eens : Yield : Production
and : Planted : Harvested :
State a a
1993 : 1992 ; 1993 1992

Spring :
AL : 3.6 2.8 3.5 2.7 155 150 300 543 405
AZ : 6.4 5.5 6.1 5.5 295 300 1,770 1,800 1,650
CA : 19.3 19.5 19.3 19.5 375 370° 8,284 7,238 7,215
FL :
Hastings : 26.0 28.0 25.0 26.0 240 195 5,136 6,000 5,070
Other 2 71 8.0 7.0 7.5 250 210 1,470 1,750 1,575
NC : 17.6 17.6 17.3 17.3 200 180 82,890 3,460 3,114
TMX > 5.3 5.5 4.8 5.3 155 150 792 744 795
US : 85.3 86.9 83.0 83.8 259 237 «20,636 21,535 19,824
Summer 1/
AL 7.2 7.0 170 952 1,190
CA 4.4 4.3 320 1,560 1,376
co 6.7 6.5 300 2,036 1,950
DE 6.0 6.0 230 1,348 1,380
IL 4.5 4.4 300 1,008 1,320
TA 1.6 1.4 200 208 280
MD 1.6 1.6 200 298 320
MI 12.5 12.0 260 2,875 3,120
MN 7.2 7.1 325 2,154 2,308
MO 7.7 7.2 245 1,323 1,764
NE 2.1 2.0 300 636 600
NJ 3.6 3.5 240 760 840
NM 2/ 3.4 3.4 280 3.450 952
NC 1.5 1.4 110 154 154
TX 7.7 7.0 245 2,400 1,715
VA 11.0 11.0 180 1,485 1,980
US : 88.7 85.8 248 22,647 21,249
1/ Revised.

2/ District 1 (NW Counties) for 1992 included in fal] potatoes.

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1993 8 NASS, USDA


Grapefruit: Revised California “Other Areas” and Total Production,
Price, and Value, California and United States, 1991-92

State. Crop. : : Yield Utilization of Production
and : Bearing: per :----------- +22 eee eee eee eee eee ee eee eee eee
Season : Acreage : Acre : Fresh : Processed : Total

Desert Valley: 7.200 486 2,600 900 3.500
1991-92 :
Other Areas :
1991-92" : 11,200 580 3,800 2.700 6.500
All CA :
1991-92 : 18,400 543 6,400 3.600 10,000
US Total :

1991-92* : 136,800 404 31,349 23,916 55.265

CA :

Desert Valley :
1991-92 : 8.60 0.54 6.53 22,360 486 22,846

Other Areas :
1991-92* : 10.00 0.98 6.25 38,000 2,646 40,646

All CA :
1991-92* : 9.45 0.87 6.35 60,360 3,132 63,492

US Total :
1991-92* : 210.02 5.16 7.89 311,776 119,276 431,052

1/ Net lbs per box: Desert - 64 and other - 67.

2/ Equivalent packinghouse-door returns.

3/ U.S. marketing year average prices are derived by weighting the state
marketing year average prices per box by the respective box weights.

* Revised.

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1993 4 NASS, USDA


California’s forecast is 19.0 million boxes, up 6 percent from the January 1
forecast and 26 percent more than the 1991-92 utilized crop. Que to a light
set, fruit in the Central Valley had excellent sizes. In contrast, a large set
in Southern California and the Coastal region led to heavy picking and tree
ripening. As a result, much of this fruit is being used for processing. The
forecast for Arizona's crop is 4.90 million boxes, down 6 percent from the
January 1 forecast and 4 percent less than last season's utilized production.
Harvest is complete.

Tangerines: The 1992-93 U.S. tangerine crop forecast is 259,000 tons, down
2 percent from March 1 but up slightly from last season.

The Florida tangerine forecast is 2.80 million boxes, a 4 percent increase from
the previous month and up 8 percent from last season’s crop. The early and
Dancy tangerine harvest is complete. The Honey tangerine harvest is

94 percent complete, while all tangerine harvest is 97 percent finished. The
California crop forecast is 2.50 million boxes, down 7 percent from January 1
but up 4 percent over last season. Fruit quality is good. The Arizona
forecast is 850,000 boxes, down 6 percent from January 1 and down 29 percent
from last season's large crop. Harvest is 98 percent complete as of April 1.

Tangelos: The April forecast for the 1992-93 Florida tangelo crop is
3.05 million boxes, down 2 percent from March 1 but 17 percent more
than last season. Harvest is complete.

Temples: The April 1 forecast for the 1992-93 Florida Temple crop is

2.60 million boxes, down 4 percent from March 1 but 11 percent more
than last season. Temple harvest is slowing as supplies are running low.
Harvest is approximately 95 percent complete.

Florida Citrus: Most groves and trees are in good to excellent condition.

Strong winds on March 13 and 14 resulted in some fruit loss
and partially defoliated trees. Temperatures on March 15 were the coldest of
the season but generally caused little damage.

In virtually al] areas, moisture during March was above average with several
counties reporting periods of surplus rain. Wet groves were ditched and deep
plowed to help remove the excess water. The mild days and cool nights have
Prolonged this season’s bloom period. Also, this year’s bloom has varied more
than any in recent years. Many young tree groves had full open bloom in early
March, while older early and mid-season orange trees and most tangerines had
only swelling buds by the last of the month. The majority of Valencia,
tangelo, and Navel trees were near full open bloom by the last week of March.
Some leaf and fruit droppage was caused by the strong winds and thunderstorms
of March 13 and 14. Most damage occurred on the west side of exposed groves.
Grapefruit trees suffered the most damage.

Harvest of early and mid-season oranges was nearly complete for the season by
the end of March. Only a few blocks remained to be picked. Harvest of
Valencia oranges increased throughout the month. More than 82 percent of the

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1993 15 NASS, USDA


Summer Potatoes, 1992 Revised: Final estimates of summer potatoes places the
1992 crop at 21.2 million cwt, down 6 percent

from 1991 and 8 percent below 1990. Harvested area, totaling 85,800 acres, was

down 12 percent from the previous year, while the average yield of

248 cwt per acre, was up 15 cwt.

Papayas: Hawaii fresh papaya production is estimated at 5.20 million pounds

for March, 9 percent more than February and 30 percent more than
March 1992. Year-to-date fresh sales were 9 percent higher than the first
quarter of 1992. Warming temperatures and light intermittent rainfall made
March weather conditions mostly favorable toward papaya production.

Crop area, totaling 3,715 acres, increased 1 percent over last month but
declined 6 percent compared to a year ago. Harvested area totaled
2,765 acres, down slightly from February but 28 percent higher than last March.

Peanuts, 1992 Revised: Peanut production in crop year 1992 totaled

4.28 billion pounds, 13 percent below the record high
1991 crop but 19 percent above the drought stricken 1990 crop. Planted area at
1.69 million acres and harvested area at 1.67 million acres were both
17 percent below the 1991 levels. The yield averaged 2,562 pounds per acre,
118 pounds higher than in 1991 and 571 pounds above the 1990 yield.

Production in the Southeastern States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South
Carolina) totaled 2.65 billion pounds in 1992, down 17 percent from 1991.
Planted area at 1.01 million acres and harvested area at 1.00 million acres
were both down 23 percent from 1991. Yields averaged 2,641 pounds per acre. up
202 pounds from a year earlier. Moisture levels during much of the season were
near optimum, contributing to high yields and partially offsetting late
planting.

Virginia and North Carolina production totaled 663. million pounds, a

14 percent decline from the 1991 level. The planted area at 247,000 acres was
down 4 percent, while harvested acreage at 246,000 was down 5 percent from the
1991 acreage. Yields averaged 2,696 pounds per acre, down 284 pounds from 1991
due to disease problems brought about by cool, wet conditions throughout much
of the growing season.

Peanut production in the Southwest (New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) was down
Slightly from the 1991 level at 975 million pounds. Acreages planted and
harvested were both down 7 percent from the 1991 level. Yields averaged
2,298 pounds per acre, 144 pounds above the 1991 crop with al? three States
posting record high yields. Favorable temperatures and moisture through most
of the season contributed to the record yields.

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1993 7 NASS, USDA



Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States,
1992 and Forecasted April 1, 1993
(Metric Units)

Area Planted Area Harvested

Potatoes :
Spring : 34,520 35,170 33,590 33,910

Crop Summary: Yield per Hectare and Production, United States,
1992 and Forecasted April 1, 1993
(Metric Units)

Production
Crop a
‘ : : : : Mar 1, oo: Apri,
1992: 1993: 1992 : 1993 : 1993
Metric Tons
Potatoes :

Spring : 29.08 26.52 976,810 899,200
Citrus Fruits 1/ : 1991-92 1992-93 1992-93
Oranges : 8,079,390 10,284,750 10,213,990
Grapefruit 2/ : 2,017,580 2,449,400
Lemons : 696,720 823,720

1/ Season begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with the
completion of harvest the following year.
2/ 1992 revised.

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1993 3 NASS, USDA


Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States,
1992 and Forecasted April 1, 1993
(Domestic Units)

Area Planted Area Harvested

Crop beens

Potatoes
Spring

Crop Summary: Yield per Acre and Production, United States,
1992 and Forecasted April 1, 1993
(Domestic Units)

Yield per Acre: Production
Crop and Unit = =—s_: ------- + --- + 22 eee ee eee ere nee eee ee ne eee e
: : : Mar 1, : Apr 1,
1992 : 1993 : 1992 : 1993 : 1993
Potatoes :
Spring Cwt : 259 237 21,535 19,824
Citrus Fruits 1/ : 1991-92 1992-93 1992-93
Oranges Ton : 8.906 11,337 11,259
Grapefruit 2/ "oo 2,224 2,700
Lemons "oo: 768 908

1/ Season begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with the
completion of harvest the following year. 2/ 1992 revised.

This report was approved on April 12, 1993, by the Secretary of Agriculture and
the National Agricultural Statistics Service's Agricultural Statistics Board.

Ms. 2
/

“Secretary of
Agriculture

Acting Chairperson
Mike Espy

Frederic A. Vogel

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1993 2 NASS, USDA


Late-month rainfall in the East not only caused flooding, but broke monthly
records as well. Atlantic City, NJ, recorded a monthly total of 8.80 inches,
and Dulles Airport, VA, noted 7.65 inches. But on the bright side, the
typically gloomy northern Great Lakes region completed another pleasant month.
In Sault Sainte Marie, MI, 2-month (February and March), precipitation totaled
0.56 inches and snowfall was 4.7 inches.

Crop Progress: Favorable weather conditions in early March allowed the citrus

harvests in California, Florida, Arizona, and Texas to advance.
Cold weather and high winds in the middle of the month caused some damage to
the Florida orange and grapefruit crops. The end of the period saw favorable
harvesting conditions return to California, Arizona, Florida, and Texas. The
California navel orange harvest was more than two-thirds completed by the end
of month. Warm weather, the early part of March, melted some snow cover on
winter wheat in the northern and central Great Plains. Snow in the middle of
the month replenished the snow cover. By the end of the month, the snow cover
had melted due to higher temperatures. Although the crop could use more
sunshine and drier weather, it survived the month in good condition. Cotton
planting activities began in southern Texas at the beginning of March. Land
preparation and planting spread to Arizona and California as the month
continued. Wet and cool weather hampered progress. Corn and sorghum planting
also began in southern Texas in early March. Field and planting preparations
began in other areas of the South as the month continued. Excessive wet
conditions delayed progress. In mid-March, one of the largest winter storms on
record brought low temperatures and snow from Alabama to Maine. The storm
caused damage to early varieties of peaches in Georgia and South Carolina, as
well as damage to the Georgia onion crop. Early-planted vegetables in Georgia
and northern Florida also suffered damage.

Oranges: The April 1 forecast of U.S. orange production is 11.3 million tons,
down 1 percent from last month but up 26 percent from last season.

The forecast for all Florida oranges is 186 million boxes, down 1 percent from
March 1 but up 33 percent from last season. Production of Florida early and
mid-season varieties is forecast at 114 million boxes, down 1 percent from last
month but up 37 percent from last year. Harvest is complete. Florida's
Valencia production is expected to total 72.0 million boxes. unchanged from
last month but 28 percent more than last season's crop. More than 82 percent
of the late oranges remain to be picked. Damage was minimal from the storms on
March 13 and 14.

California's 1992-93 all orange forecast is 74.0 million boxes, unchanged from
last month but 10 percent more than last year. The Navel crop in California is
expected to total a record high 47.0 million boxes, unchanged from March 1 but
34 percent more than last season. Approximately 75 percent of the crop has
been picked to date. Above average rainfall this winter has led to above
normal fruit droppage. California's Valencia forecast is 27.0 million boxes,
also unchanged from March 1 but down 16 percent from last season’s large crop.
The crop is maturing well but fruit set is less than a year ago. Harvest,
starting slowly this year. is approximately 43 percent complete in the desert
and just starting in the Central Valley.

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1993 13 NASS, USDA


late oranges remain to be picked. Movement of all seedless grapefruit through
March averaged about 2.50 million boxes per week. AS of the end of March, about
26 percent of the seedless grapefruit remained for harvest. Tangelo harvest is
over for the season. Movement of Honey tangerines and Temples is slowing as
supplies are running low. Caretakers have been active cutting cover crops,
plowing and ditching to remove excessive water, and hedging and topping
harvested groves.

Texas Citrus: Harvest of the 1992-93 grapefruit was beginning to slow down in

Many groves. Valencia harvest was also nearing completion.
Fruit set for the 1993-94 crop looks good. Normal grove care activities
occurred during March with few delays from wet conditions. Some strong winds
blew across the Valley in March, however, only minor bloom loss occurred.

California Fruits and Nuts: Growers were busy during April with cultural
practices as orchard floors were drying out.

Grape growers were active pruning and tying their vines. Treatments for

cutworms, mealybugs, and mildew were applied. Vines also began to leaf out and

some budswell began. Kiwifruit were also leafing out. Many stonefruit

orchards bloomed during March along with apples and pears, Some prune trees

appear to have brown rot. Almonds leafed out and fungicide sprays were applied
to control shot hole fungus. By the end of the month, almonds were dropping
their jackets. Walnut trees were leafing out and producing catkins. Blight
prevention measures were also active. Citrus harvest was active during March
with approximately 75 percent of the Navel orange crop picked by the first of
April, Puff and other rind defects were a concern to growers. By late March,
the Valencia orange harvest was active in al? areas of the State. Lemon
picking was active in the South Coast area but had ended in the

Central Valley and Desert Areas.

Spring potatoes: Production of spring potatoes is forecast at 19.8 million

cwt, down 8 percent from last year and 4 percent below the
1991 crop. This is the smallest spring potato crop since 1987. Harvest is
expected from 83,800 acres, 1 percent above a year ago but 4 percent below two
years ago. The average yield is forecast at 237 cwt per acre, down 22 cwt from
last year but 1 cwt above 1991.

The blizzard of 1993 swept across the Southeast, freezing tender growth and
knocking over potato vines with high winds. The Hastings, Florida, area was
particularly hard hit as many fields were approaching maturity. Most fields
will suffer yield loss and many will not be harvested at all. Harvest across
the area will also be delayed. North Carolina had little vine damage, but wet
fields held planting to a 60 percent completion rate as of April 1 - normal is
about 80 percent planted. Wet conditions in California slowed planting but
overall conditions are normal or better. Arizona growers expect an 8 percent
smaller crop than last year. In Texas, the crop is expected to be larger than
last year, but late blight is showing up in a few fields.

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1993 \16 NASS, USDA