HDR1012000140061008971500VEGETABLES                                             
     National                                                                   
     Agricultural                                                               
     Statistics                                                                 
     Service                                                                    
                                                                                
USDA                                                                            
Washington, D.C.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Released October 8, 1997, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service       
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.  For     
information on "Vegetables" call David Mueller at (202) 720-2157, office hours  
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.                                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
         Fresh Vegetables Harvested Acreage Down 2 Percent                      
                                                                                
The prospective area for harvest of 13 selected fresh market vegetables during  
the fall quarter is forecast at 176,400 acres, down 2 percent from  last year   
and off  7 percent from 1995.  Acreage reductions for cabbage, cauliflower,     
celery, sweet corn, eggplant, head lettuce, and bell peppers offset increased   
acreage of snap beans, carrots, and cucumbers.  Area estimated for melon harvest
is 18,300 acres, up 10 percent from last year.  Cantaloup acreage is forecasted 
at 12,600 acres, up 12 percent from 1996.  Honeydew acreage is estimated at     
5,000 acres, up 4 percent from last fall. Watermelon acreage is forecasted at   
700 acres, up 100 acres from last year.                                         
                                                                                
Summer Storage Onion Production (Excluding California) Up 7 Percent             
                                                                                
Summer storage onion production (excluding California) in 1997 is forecast at   
35.5 million hundredweight, up 7 percent from last year and 1 percent more than 
in 1995. The storage onion crop should be harvested from 79,310 acres, up 2     
percent from last year.  The California crop is expected from 29,000 acres, down
6 percent from last year and 5 percent less than in 1995.  Production, at 12.8  
million hundredweight, is 4 percent less than last year but 1 percent more than 
in 1995.                                                                        
         Fresh Vegetables Harvested Acreage Down 2 Percent                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
Snap Beans:  Fall fresh market acreage for harvest is forecast at 16,100 acres, 
up 2 percent from  last year but 16 percent less than 1995.  Weather conditions 
have generally been favorable in Florida as hurricanes bypassed the state.      
However, recent heavy rains damaged the crop in the west central part of the    
state.  Planting progress is steady, with producers replanting fields where     
necessary. Wet conditions in New Jersey disrupted the planting schedule, which  
caused producers to plant fewer acres.                                          
                                                                                
Broccoli:  California's acreage for fall harvest is estimated at 27,500 acres,  
unchanged from last year but 4 percent less than in 1995.  Producers welcomed   
recent cooler temperatures  after a very hot summer.  Broccoli head size appears
to be about normal with good quality.   Recent rains from Hurricane Nora over   
the Imperial Valley damaged some fields and may cause some producers to replant.
Producers reported very few harvesting problems in the earliest-planted fields. 
                                                                                
Cabbage:  Fresh market acreage for harvest is forecast at 6,800 acres, down 4   
percent from last year and 12 percent less than in 1995.  In Florida, the       
planting season  has been good and there have been few weather related problems 
except in the west central part of the State.  Recent heavy rains there have    
flooded out some fields that producers will replant.  Favorable growing         
conditions benefited the growth of fall cabbage in New Jersey.  Texas producers 
increased acreage due to an increase in the availability of irrigation water.   
                                                                                
Cantaloups:  Fall cantaloup acreage for harvest is estimated at 12,600 acres, up
12 percent from last year and up 27 percent from 1995.  Harvest was winding down
in California.  In Arizona, the harvest continued with light volumes reported.  
                                                                                
Carrots:  Acreage for fresh market harvest is forecast at 18,700 acres, a 5     
percent increase from last year and 21 percent greater than 1995. Baby carrot   
demand remains high.  Hot weather in August hindered early crop development in  
California.  However, more favorable conditions later allowed most carrots to   
size well with good quality.  Producers reported very few problems with the     
crop, except in the Imperial Valley, where recent rains from Hurricane Nora     
caused damage to some fields.                                                   
                                                                                
Cauliflower:  Acreage for fall harvest in California is estimated at 10,100     
acres, off 2 percent from last year and 8 percent below two years ago.  Recent  
rains from Hurricane Nora caused damage to some fields in the Imperial Valley.  
Producers are concerned that some fields might need replanting.  Elsewhere,     
growers reported that the crop showed no unusual insect or disease problems.    
                                                                                
Celery:  California's fall acreage for harvest is forecast at 6,700 acres, down 
3 percent from 1996 and 11 percent less than two years ago. Harvest was active, 
and producers reported no unusual problems with the crop.                       
                                                                                
Sweet Corn:  Fresh market acreage for harvest is estimated at 8,500 acres, down 
23 percent from last year, and 13 percent less than in 1995. In Florida,        
planting in the Everglades was active during early September as Zellwood        
growers finished planting.  Growers irrigated some acreage around Lake Apopka   
as conditions became dry at the end of August and into early September.  Heavy  
rainfall in the Zellwood area near the end of September benefited plant growth  
and ear development.                                                            
Cucumbers:  Acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 8,200 acres, 1 percent above
last year but 19 percent below 1995.  Planting in Florida progressed at the     
usual pace.  Planting in the Palmetto-Ruskin area started during August and in  
the east coast region by early September.  Oldest plants in the southwest area  
of Florida were showing four to five leaves by the second half of September.    
Recent heavy rains in the west central part of Florida have damaged the crop,   
and producers are assessing the damage.                                         
                                                                                
Eggplant:  Fresh market acreage for fall harvest in Florida is forecast at 500  
acres, down 100 acres from last year and half the acreage of 1995.  Planting    
began before the middle of August in the east coast area and continued at a     
steady pace. By late September the crop was in very good condition with the     
oldest fields showing blooms.                                                   
                                                                                
Escarole/Endive: Fresh market acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 900 acres,
unchanged from last year but 25 percent less than in 1995. In Florida, light    
plantings started in the Zellwood and Everglades regions during early September.
The fall crop in New Jersey is in good condition.  Good quality and steady      
supply is expected to last throughout the season.                               
                                                                                
Honeydews:  Fresh market acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 5,000 acres, up
4 percent from last year and 16 percent greater than 1995.  The crop looked     
good in California and producers reported no major problems.                    
                                                                                
Head Lettuce:  Acreage for fall harvest is estimated at 37,400 acres, down 1    
percent from last year and 4 percent smaller than in 1995. California growers   
welcomed the recent cooler weather.  The quality of the California crop looked  
good.  However, recent rains from Hurricane Nora damaged some fields in the     
Imperial Valley of California and in Arizona.  Some replanting may be           
necessary.  In New Jersey, the crop supply appeared short, but the crop         
quality rated good.                                                             
                                                                                
Bell Peppers: Fall acreage for harvest is forecast at 10,900 acres, a 4 percent 
decrease from 1996 but unchanged from 1995.   Drier than normal fall weather    
kept plantings in Florida on schedule throughout September with some growers    
able to plant acreage in September that they usually do not plant until October.
Recent heavy rains, however, caused damage to some fields in the west central   
part of the state.  The extent of damage was unknown at this time.  Increased   
water availability encouraged Texas producers to plant more acres than last     
year.                                                                           
                                                                                
Tomatoes:  Fresh market acreage for fall harvest is estimated at 24,100 acres,  
unchanged from last year but 17 percent less than 1995.  Ideal weather          
conditions in California allowed the crop to progress normally.  Recent storms  
in the Palmetto-Ruskin area knocked off blooms and young fruit, reduced the     
effectiveness of pesticides, and prevented some producers from spraying their   
fields.                                                                         
                                                                                
Watermelons: Arizona acreage for fall harvest is forecast at 700 acres, up 100  
acres from 1996 but unchanged from 1995. Harvest was active in the central part 
of the state.                                                                   
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons:  Area Harvested by Season,    
            and Crop, Major States, 1995-96 and Prospective Area 1997           
                                (Domestic Units)                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          :                        Area                         
          Season          :-----------------------------------------------------
            and           :             Harvested             :       For       
           Crop           :-----------------------------------:     Harvest     
                          :      1995       :      1996       :      1997       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          :                        Acres                        
                          :                                                     
Winter                    :     179,850           195,950           192,000     
                          :                                                     
Spring                    :     346,350           343,850           332,050     
                          :                                                     
Summer                    :     461,550           450,600           458,750     
                          :                                                     
Fall                      :                                                     
  Snap Beans              :      19,200            15,800            16,100     
  Broccoli 1/             :      28,500            27,500            27,500     
  Cabbage                 :       7,700             7,100             6,800     
  Carrots                 :      15,400            17,800            18,700     
  Cauliflower 1/          :      11,000            10,300            10,100     
  Celery  1/              :       7,500             6,900             6,700     
  Sweet Corn              :       9,800            11,000             8,500     
  Cucumbers               :      10,100             8,100             8,200     
  Eggplant                :       1,000               600               500     
  Escarole/Endive 2/      :       1,200               900               900     
  Head Lettuce            :      38,900            37,800            37,400     
  Bell Peppers  1/ 2/     :      10,900            11,300            10,900     
  Tomatoes 2/             :      29,000            24,100            24,100     
                          :                                                     
Total 13 Vegetables 2/    :     190,200           179,200           176,400     
                          :                                                     
  Cantaloups              :       9,900            11,300            12,600     
  Honeydews               :       4,300             4,800             5,000     
  Watermelons             :         700               600               700     
                          :                                                     
Total Fall Crop 2/        :     205,100           195,900           194,700     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes fresh market and processing.                                       
2/  1996 revised.                                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons:  Area Harvested by Season,    
            and Crop, Major States, 1995-96 and Prospective Area 1997           
                                 (Metric Units)                                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          :                        Area                         
          Season          :-----------------------------------------------------
            and           :             Harvested             :       For       
           Crop           :-----------------------------------:     Harvest     
                          :      1995       :      1996       :      1997       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          :                      Hectares                       
                          :                                                     
Winter                    :      72,770            79,290            77,690     
                          :                                                     
Spring                    :     140,160           139,140           134,370     
                          :                                                     
Summer                    :     186,780           182,350           185,650     
                          :                                                     
Fall                      :                                                     
  Snap Beans              :       7,770             6,390             6,520     
  Broccoli 1/             :      11,530            11,130            11,130     
  Cabbage                 :       3,120             2,870             2,750     
  Carrots                 :       6,230             7,200             7,570     
  Cauliflower 1/          :       4,450             4,170             4,090     
  Celery  1/              :       3,040             2,790             2,710     
  Sweet Corn              :       3,970             4,450             3,440     
  Cucumbers               :       4,090             3,280             3,320     
  Eggplant                :         400               240               200     
  Escarole/Endive 2/      :         490               360               360     
  Head Lettuce            :      15,740            15,300            15,140     
  Bell Peppers  1/ 2/     :       4,410             4,570             4,410     
  Tomatoes 2/             :      11,740             9,750             9,750     
                          :                                                     
Total 13 Vegetables 2/    :      76,980            72,500            71,390     
                          :                                                     
  Cantaloups              :       4,010             4,570             5,100     
  Honeydews               :       1,740             1,940             2,020     
  Watermelons             :         280               240               280     
                          :                                                     
Total Fall Crop 2/        :      83,010            79,250            78,790     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes fresh market and processing.                                       
2/  1996 revised                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
      Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons:  Area Harvested by Crop,     
        State, and Total, Fall Season, 1995-96 and Prospective Area 1997        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :         :              Area              :           
           Crop          :  Usual  :--------------------------------: Area for  
           and           : Harvest :      Harvested      :   For    :  Harvest  
          State          : Period  :---------------------: Harvest  :Percent of 
                         :         :   1995   :   1996   :   1997   :   1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :         :  ----------- Acres ----------     Percent  
                         :         :                                            
Snap Beans               :         :                                            
  FL                     : Oct-Dec :    6,300      6,700      6,700       100   
  GA                     : Oct-Dec :    7,000      3,500      4,200       120   
  MD                     : Oct-Nov :      400        300        300       100   
  NJ                     : Aug-Oct :    2,800      2,600      2,300        88   
  SC                     : Oct-Dec :      400        600        500        83   
  VA                     : Sep-Oct :    2,300      2,100      2,100       100   
  Total                  :         :   19,200     15,800     16,100       102   
                         :         :                                            
Broccoli 1/              :         :                                            
  CA                     : Oct-Dec :   28,500     27,500     27,500       100   
                         :         :                                            
Cabbage                  :         :                                            
  FL                     : Oct-Dec :      900        800      1,000       125   
  GA                     : Oct-Dec :    4,500      4,200      3,500        83   
  NJ                     : Sep-Nov :    1,100      1,200      1,200       100   
  TX                     : Sep-Nov :    1,200        900      1,100       122   
  Total                  :         :    7,700      7,100      6,800        96   
                         :         :                                            
Cantaloups               :         :                                            
  AZ                     : Sep-Dec :    7,100      8,200      8,900       109   
  CA                     : Oct-Dec :    2,800      3,100      3,700       119   
  Total                  :         :    9,900     11,300     12,600       112   
                         :         :                                            
Carrots                  :         :                                            
  CA                     : Oct-Dec :   15,000     17,300     18,300       106   
  TX                     : Sep-Nov :      400        500        400        80   
  Total                  :         :   15,400     17,800     18,700       105   
                         :         :                                            
Cauliflower 1/           :         :                                            
  CA                     : Oct-Dec :   11,000     10,300     10,100        98   
                         :         :                                            
Celery 1/                :         :                                            
  CA                     : Oct-Dec :    7,500      6,900      6,700        97   
                         :         :                                            
Sweet Corn               :         :                                            
  CA                     : Oct-Dec :    3,500      3,300      2,100        64   
  FL                     : Sep-Dec :    6,300      7,700      6,400        83   
  Total                  :         :    9,800     11,000      8,500        77   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.                                       --continued
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
  Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons:  Area Harvested by Crop, State,  
      and Total, Fall Season, 1995-96 and Prospective Area 1997 (continued)     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :         :              Area              :           
           Crop          :  Usual  :--------------------------------: Area for  
           and           : Harvest :      Harvested      :   For    :  Harvest  
          State          : Period  :---------------------: Harvest  :Percent of 
                         :         :   1995   :   1996   :   1997   :   1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :         :  ----------- Acres ----------     Percent  
                         :         :                                            
Cucumbers                :         :                                            
  FL                     : Oct-Dec :    4,500      3,700      3,600        97   
  SC                     : Oct-Dec :    1,000        800        700        88   
  TX                     : Sep-Nov :    1,100        900      1,100       122   
  VA                     : Sep-Oct :    3,500      2,700      2,800       104   
  Total                  :         :   10,100      8,100      8,200       101   
                         :         :                                            
Eggplant                 :         :                                            
  FL                     : Oct-Dec :    1,000        600        500        83   
                         :         :                                            
Escarole/Endive          :         :                                            
  FL 2/                  : Oct-Dec :      800        400        400       100   
  NJ                     : Sep-Nov :      400        500        500       100   
  Total 2/               :         :    1,200        900        900       100   
                         :         :                                            
Honeydews                :         :                                            
  AZ                     : Oct-Dec :    1,300      1,000      1,700       170   
  CA                     : Oct-Dec :    3,000      3,800      3,300        87   
  Total                  :         :    4,300      4,800      5,000       104   
                         :         :                                            
Head Lettuce             :         :                                            
  AZ - Other             : Oct-Dec :    1,200      1,300        900        69   
  CA                     : Oct-Dec :   36,000     35,000     35,000       100   
  NJ                     : Sep-Nov :      600        500        500       100   
  NM                     : Oct-Nov :    1,100      1,000      1,000       100   
  Total                  :         :   38,900     37,800     37,400        99   
                         :         :                                            
Bell Peppers 1/          :         :                                            
  FL 2/                  : Oct-Dec :    7,200      7,100      6,600        93   
  TX                     : Sep-Nov :    3,700      4,200      4,300       102   
  Total 2/               :         :   10,900     11,300     10,900        96   
                         :         :                                            
Tomatoes                 :         :                                            
  CA                     : Sep-Dec :   10,900     10,700      9,900        93   
  FL 2/                  : Sep-Dec :   18,100     13,400     14,200       106   
  Total 2/               :         :   29,000     24,100     24,100       100   
                         :         :                                            
Watermelons              :         :                                            
  AZ                     : Sep-Dec :      700        600        700       117   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes fresh market and processing.                                       
2/  1996 revised.                                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
Summer Storage Onion Production (Excluding California) Up 7 Percent             
                                                                                
Summer storage onion production (excluding California) in 1997 is forecast at   
35.5 million hundredweight, up 7 percent from last year and 1 percent more than 
in 1995. The storage onion crop should be harvested from 79,310 acres, up 2     
percent from last year. The harvest is active in Washington, where the quality  
of the crop is good and size is larger than normal.  A record yield is expected 
As of September 21, the Idaho harvest was 52 percent complete, slightly behind  
last year and average.  Utah producers expect above average yield, but recent   
wet weather disrupted harvest.  In Colorado excessive summer rains resulted in  
disease problems and slowed harvest progress.  Producers have abandoned some    
fields.  Although some exceptionally high yields have been realized, storage    
quality is questionable for some of the crop.  The Michigan crop condition is   
good.  Early harvest yields are good with good quality. The New York harvest is 
about two weeks late.  Late rains helped size onions and boosted yields.  In    
Wisconsin, good weather from late August through the middle of September        
boosted yield prospects and provided excellent harvest conditions.              
                                                                                
The California crop is expected from 29,000 acres, down 6 percent from last     
year and 5 percent less than in 1995.  Production, at 12.8 million              
hundredweight, is 4 percent less than last year but 1 percent more than in      
1995.  Onion size and yield are better than last year.  Harvest is proceeding   
on schedule with very few problems.                                             
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                 Onions:  Area Harvested, Yield, and Production                 
                  by Season, State, and United States, 1995-97                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :            Area             :       Yield per Acre        
       Season       :-----------------------------------------------------------
         and        :     Harvested     :   For   :         :         :         
        State       :-------------------: Harvest :  1995   :  1996   :  1997   
                    :  1995   :  1996   :  1997   :         :         :         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    : ---------- Acres ----------     --------- Cwt ---------   
                    :                                                           
Spring              :  35,600    36,800    32,900     284       252       278   
Summer              :                                                           
  Non-Storage       :  15,700    13,900    11,200     397       400       366   
                    :                                                           
  Storage           :                                                           
    CO              :  17,800    16,000    15,500     345       325       350   
    ID              :   8,700     8,600     8,200     630       650       660   
    MI              :   6,400     5,800     6,000     290       310       320   
    MN 1/           :     520       520               240       220             
    NY              :  12,600    11,400    11,600     320       240       310   
    OH 1/           :     480       490     1,010     305       380       362   
    OR              :                                                           
     Malheur        :  12,300    12,000    12,000     580       590       580   
     West           :   6,800     6,300     7,400     400       380       400   
    UT              :   2,200     2,100     2,300     440       470       450   
    WA              :  12,500    12,700    13,500     490       510       530   
    WI              :   1,900     1,700     1,800     235       370       370   
    Subtotal        :  82,200    77,610    79,310     428       428       448   
                    :                                                           
    CA 2/           :  30,500    31,000    29,000     415       430       440   
                    :                                                           
  Summer Total      : 128,400   122,510   119,510     421       425       438   
                    :                                                           
US                  : 164,000   159,310   152,410     391       385       404   
                    :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :                        Production                         
                    :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :       1995        :       1996        :       1997        
                    :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :                         1,000 Cwt                         
                    :                                                           
Spring              :      10,110               9,290               9,160       
Summer              :                                                           
  Non-Storage       :       6,239               5,558               4,100       
                    :                                                           
  Storage           :                                                           
    CO              :       6,141               5,200               5,425       
    ID              :       5,481               5,590               5,412       
    MI              :       1,856               1,798               1,920       
    MN 1/           :         125                 114                           
    NY              :       4,032               2,736               3,596       
    OH 1/           :         146                 186                 366       
    OR              :                                                           
     Malheur        :       7,134               7,080               6,960       
     West           :       2,720               2,394               2,960       
    UT              :         968                 987               1,035       
    WA              :       6,125               6,477               7,155       
    WI              :         447                 629                 666       
    Subtotal        :      35,175              33,191              35,495       
                    :                                                           
    CA 2/           :      12,658              13,330              12,760       
                    :                                                           
  Summer Total      :      54,072              52,079              52,355       
                    :                                                           
US                  :      64,182              61,369              61,515       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  MN and OH combined in 1997 to avoid disclosure of individual operations.    
2/  Primarily for processing.                                                   
                                                                                
                                                                                
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