HDR1012000140060408961500Vegetables                                             
                                                                                
Released April 8, 1996, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service         
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.  For     
information on "Vegetables" call Dave Mueller at (202) 720-2157, office hours   
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.  For assistance with general agricultural            
statistics, information about NASS, its products or services, contact the NASS  
Information Hotline at 1-800-727-9540 or E-mail:  NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV.           
                                                                                
                  Spring Vegetables Up 2 Percent                                
            Processed Vegetable Acreage Down 4 Percent                          
                  Onions Acreage Down 3 Percent                                 
                                                                                
The prospective area for harvest of 13 selected fresh market vegetables during  
the spring quarter is forecast at 218,000 acres, up 2 percent from last year.   
Snap beans, sweet corn, and cabbage had the largest acreage increases.          
Acreage for spring harvest of 3 selected melons is estimated at 125,200 acres,  
down 1 percent from last year.  An acreage increase in cantaloups was offset by 
declines in honeydews and watermelon.  Asparagus for spring harvest is          
forecast at 68,900 acres, down 3 percent from last year and off 7 percent from  
1994.  Strawberry acreage for spring harvest is projected at 34,250 acres,      
4 percent greater than the last two years.                                      
                                                                                
Processors expect to contract 1.47 million acres of the five major vegetable    
crops in the U.S. this year, down 4 percent from last year.  Decreases were     
forecast for snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers for pickles, and green peas,     
with green peas down 12 percent.  Tomato acreage showed a 2 percent increase.   
Freezing firms expect a 9 percent decrease, with 412,030 acres under contract.  
Green pea acreage is down 18 percent, sweet corn for freezing recorded a        
3 percent decrease, and snap bean acreage is off 4 percent.  Canneries          
contracted for 1.06 million acres, down 2 percent from last year. Green pea     
acreage is down 4 percent, sweet corn acreage is off 2 percent, and snap bean   
acreage is 5 percent less than last year. Cucumber acreage indicates a          
3 percent decline, but tomato acreage is up 2 percent.                          
                                                                                
Spring Onions will be harvested from 37,500 acres in 1996, up 5 percent from    
last year and 6 percent greater than 1994.  Georgia and Texas combined for a    
production forecast of 5.8 million cwt, 5 percent less than last year.  Total   
onion acreage for all seasons in 1995 is projected at 162,240 acres, a loss of  
3 percent from last year.  Summer non-storage onions, at 11,600 acres, are      
down 15 percent;  while storage onions (except California) on 81,040 acres is   
off 5 percent.  California, with 28,500 acres, is expected to be down 7         
percent.                                                                        
                                                                                
Vg 2-1 (4-96)                                                                   
     Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons:  Area Harvested by Season,    
            and Crop, Major States, 1994-95 and Prospective Area 1996           
                                (Domestic Units)                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          :                        Area                         
          Season          :-----------------------------------------------------
            and           :             Harvested             :       For       
           Crop           :-----------------------------------:     Harvest     
                          :      1994       :      1995       :      1996       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          :                        Acres                        
                          :                                                     
Winter                    :     196,100           175,000           184,900     
                          :                                                     
Spring                    :                                                     
  Snap Beans              :      15,700            18,900            21,700     
  Broccoli 1/             :      25,000            19,500            20,300     
  Cabbage                 :      10,000             8,700             9,200     
  Carrots                 :      20,900            21,800            22,600     
  Cauliflower 1/          :      12,500            11,000            11,300     
  Celery 1/               :       5,400             5,100             5,300     
  Sweet Corn              :      37,000            35,200            37,200     
  Cucumbers               :      10,300            10,400             8,200     
  Eggplant                :       1,100               700               500     
  Escarole/Endive         :       1,100             1,000             1,000     
  Head Lettuce            :      53,800            42,400            41,900     
  Bell Peppers 1/         :       8,500             8,700             8,100     
  Tomatoes                :      28,550            30,700            30,700     
                          :                                                     
Total 13 Vegetables       :     229,850           214,100           218,000     
                          :                                                     
  Cantaloup               :      40,200            37,500            39,600     
  Honeydews               :       7,100             7,400             6,000     
  Watermelon              :      87,600            81,400            79,600     
                          :                                                     
Total 3 Melons            :     134,900           126,300           125,200     
                          :                                                     
Total Spring Crop         :     364,750           340,400           343,200     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes fresh market and processing.                                       
                                                                                
     Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons:  Area Harvested by Season,    
            and Crop, Major States, 1994-95 and Prospective Area 1996           
                                 (Metric Units)                                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          :                        Area                         
          Season          :-----------------------------------------------------
            and           :             Harvested             :       For       
           Crop           :-----------------------------------:     Harvest     
                          :      1994       :      1995       :      1996       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          :                      Hectares                       
                          :                                                     
Winter                    :      79,370            70,810            74,830     
                          :                                                     
Spring                    :                                                     
  Snap Beans              :       6,350             7,650             8,780     
  Broccoli 1/             :      10,120             7,890             8,220     
  Cabbage                 :       4,050             3,520             3,720     
  Carrots                 :       8,460             8,820             9,150     
  Cauliflower 1/          :       5,060             4,450             4,570     
  Celery 1/               :       2,190             2,060             2,140     
  Sweet Corn              :      14,970            14,250            15,050     
  Cucumbers               :       4,170             4,210             3,320     
  Eggplant                :         450               280               200     
  Escarole/Endive         :         450               400               400     
  Head Lettuce            :      21,770            17,160            16,960     
  Bell Peppers 1/         :       3,440             3,520             3,280     
  Tomatoes                :      11,550            12,420            12,420     
                          :                                                     
Total 13 Vegetables       :      93,030            86,630            88,210     
                          :                                                     
  Cantaloup               :      16,270            15,180            16,030     
  Honeydews               :       2,870             2,990             2,430     
  Watermelon              :      35,450            32,940            32,210     
                          :                                                     
Total 3 Melons            :      54,590            51,110            50,670     
                          :                                                     
Total Spring Crop         :     147,620           137,740           138,880     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes fresh market and processing.                                       
                                                                                
      Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons:  Area Harvested by Crop,     
       State, and Total, Spring Season, 1994-95 and Prospective Area 1996       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :         :              Area              :   1996    
           Crop          :  Usual  :--------------------------------: Area for  
           and           : Harvest :      Harvested      :   For    :  Harvest  
          State          : Period  :---------------------: Harvest  :as Percent 
                         :         :   1994   :   1995   :   1996   :  of 1995  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :         :  ----------- Acres ----------     Percent  
                         :         :                                            
Snap Beans               :         :                                            
  FL                     : Apr-Jun :    8,000     11,700     12,900       110   
  GA                     : Apr-Jun :    5,100      5,000      6,500       130   
  NJ                     : Jun-Jul :    1,000        900      1,000       111   
  SC                     : May-Aug :    1,600      1,300      1,300       100   
  Total                  :         :   15,700     18,900     21,700       115   
                         :         :                                            
Broccoli 1/              :         :                                            
  CA                     : Apr-Jun :   25,000     19,500     20,300       104   
                         :         :                                            
Cabbage                  :         :                                            
  FL                     : Apr-Jun :    3,000      2,000      2,200       110   
  GA                     : Apr-Jun :    4,000      4,000      4,400       110   
  NJ                     : Jun-Aug :    1,100      1,200      1,100        92   
  TX                     : Apr-Jun :    1,900      1,500      1,500       100   
  Total                  :         :   10,000      8,700      9,200       106   
                         :         :                                            
Cantaloups               :         :                                            
  AZ                     : Apr-Jun :    9,400      8,900     10,200       115   
  CA                     : Apr-Jun :   16,500     16,000     17,000       106   
  GA                     : Apr-Jun :    3,500      2,700      3,400       126   
  TX                     : Apr-Jun :   10,800      9,900      9,000        91   
  Total                  :         :   40,200     37,500     39,600       106   
                         :         :                                            
Carrots                  :         :                                            
  CA                     : Apr-Jun :   16,800     18,000     20,000       111   
  FL                     : Apr-Jun :    2,600      2,300      1,600        70   
  TX                     : Apr-Jun :    1,500      1,500      1,000        67   
  Total                  :         :   20,900     21,800     22,600       104   
                         :         :                                            
Cauliflower 1/           :         :                                            
  CA                     : Apr-Jun :   12,500     11,000     11,300       103   
                         :         :                                            
Celery 1/                :         :                                            
  CA                     : Apr-Jun :    5,400      5,100      5,300       104   
                         :         :                                            
Sweet Corn               :         :                                            
  CA                     : Apr-Jun :    8,000      9,000      5,800        64   
  FL                     : Apr-Jul :   29,000     26,200     31,400       120   
  Total                  :         :   37,000     35,200     37,200       106   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes fresh market and processing.                                       
                                                                                
          Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons:  Area Harvested          
                    by Crop, State, and Total, Spring Season,                   
                  1994-95 and Prospective Area 1996 (continued)                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :         :              Area              :   1996    
           Crop          :  Usual  :--------------------------------: Area for  
           and           : Harvest :      Harvested      :   For    :  Harvest  
          State          : Period  :---------------------: Harvest  :as Percent 
                         :         :   1994   :   1995   :   1996   :  of 1995  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :         :  ----------- Acres ----------     Percent  
                         :         :                                            
Cucumbers                :         :                                            
  FL                     : Jan-Jun :    8,300      8,200      6,300        77   
  SC                     : May-Aug :    1,000      1,200      1,200       100   
  TX                     : Apr-Jun :    1,000      1,000        700        70   
  Total                  :         :   10,300     10,400      8,200        79   
                         :         :                                            
Eggplant                 :         :                                            
  FL                     : Apr-Jul :    1,100        700        500        71   
                         :         :                                            
Escarole/Endive          :         :                                            
  FL                     : Apr-Jul :      700        600        600       100   
  NJ                     : May-Aug :      400        400        400       100   
  Total                  :         :    1,100      1,000      1,000       100   
                         :         :                                            
Honeydews                :         :                                            
  CA                     : Apr-Jun :    2,600      3,100      3,000        97   
  TX                     : Apr-Jun :    4,500      4,300      3,000        70   
  Total                  :         :    7,100      7,400      6,000        81   
                         :         :                                            
Head Lettuce             :         :                                            
  AZ - Other             : Apr-Jun :      900      1,200      1,100        92   
  CA                     : Apr-Jun :   49,000     39,500     39,000        99   
  FL 2/                  : Apr-Jun :    1,900                                   
  NJ                     : May-Jul :    1,000        900        800        89   
  NM                     : Apr-Jun :    1,000        800      1,000       125   
  Total                  :         :   53,800     42,400     41,900        99   
                         :         :                                            
Bell Peppers 1/          :         :                                            
  FL                     : Apr-Jul :    7,500      7,800      7,100        91   
  TX                     : Apr-Jun :    1,000        900      1,000       111   
  Total                  :         :    8,500      8,700      8,100        93   
                         :         :                                            
Tomatoes                 :         :                                            
  AL                     : Jun-Jul :      500        500        700       140   
  AR                     : Jun-Aug :      550        500        600       120   
  CA                     : Apr-Jun :    4,500      5,600      6,400       114   
  FL                     : Apr-Jun :   16,200     16,700     15,700        94   
  SC                     : May-Jul :    3,500      3,800      3,800       100   
  TX                     : Apr-Jun :    3,300      3,600      3,500        97   
  Total                  :         :   28,550     30,700     30,700       100   
                         :         :                                            
Watermelons              :         :                                            
  AL                     : Jun-Jul :    2,400      2,500      2,600       104   
  AZ                     : Apr-Jun :    6,800      6,800      7,000       103   
  CA                     : Apr-Jun :    5,500      5,100      6,000       118   
  FL                     : Apr-Jun :   37,000     33,000     34,000       103   
  TX                     : Apr-Jun :   35,900     34,000     30,000        88   
  Total                  :         :   87,600     81,400     79,600        98   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes fresh market and processing.                                       
2/  Estimate discontinued.                                                      
                                                                                
         Fresh Market Vegetables:  Area Harvested, Yield, and Production        
                       by Crop, Season, and Total, 1994-96                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :          Area          :Yield per Acre:        Production        
    Crop,    :------------------------------------------------------------------
   Season,   :   Harvested   :  For   :    :    :    :        :        :        
  and State  :---------------:Harvest :1994:1995:1996:  1994  :  1995  :  1996  
             : 1994  : 1995  :  1996  :    :    :    :        :        :        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :-------- Acres --------  ---- Cwt ----   ------- 1,000 Cwt ------ 
             :                                                                  
Asparagus 1/ :                                                                  
  Spring     :                                                                  
    CA       :30,200  28,000   29,000   33   28           997      784          
    MI       :19,000  19,000   17,500   13   17           247      323          
    NJ       :   900     900      900   20   28            18       25          
    WA       :24,000  23,000   21,500   37   37           888      851          
    Total    :74,100  70,900   68,900   29   28         2,150    1,983          
             :                                                                  
Onions       :                                                                  
  Spring 2/  :                                                                  
    AZ 3/    : 1,600   1,400    2,000  430  480           688      672          
    CA 3/    : 6,700   7,500    7,500  440  440         2,948    3,300          
    GA       :10,300  12,500   13,600  190  190  125    1,957    2,375    1,700 
    TX       :16,800  14,200   14,400  280  265  285    4,704    3,763    4,104 
    Total    :35,400  35,600   37,500  291  284  155   10,297   10,110    5,804 
             :                                                                  
Straw-       :                                                                  
 berries 1/  :                                                                  
  Winter     :                                                                  
    FL       : 5,800   6,000    6,000  290  280  260    1,682    1,680    1,560 
             :                                                                  
  Spring     :                                                                  
    CA       :23,300  23,600   25,200  570  505  575   13,281   11,918   14,490 
    MI       : 1,800   1,800    1,500   55   60            99      108          
    NJ       :   450     450      450   31   34            14       15          
    OR       : 6,100   5,700    5,900  115  105           702      599          
    WA       : 1,400   1,300    1,200   80   80           112      104          
    Total    :33,050  32,850   34,250  430  388        14,208   12,744          
             :                                                                  
Major States :                                                                  
 Total       :38,850  38,850   40,250  409  371        15,890   14,424          
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes fresh market and processing.                                       
2/  Primarily fresh market.                                                     
3/  First forecast will be published July 10, 1996.                             
                                                                                
                     Onions:  Area Planted by Season, State,                    
                           and United States, 1994-96                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Season          :                Acres                 :    1996     
            and            :--------------------------------------:   as % of   
           State           :    1994    :    1995    :    1996    :    1995     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           :  ------------- Acres -------------       Percent   
                           :                                                    
Spring 1/                  :   38,600       37,300       41,100         110     
                           :                                                    
Summer 1/                  :                                                    
  Non-storage              :                                                    
    NM                     :    8,500        9,100        7,500          82     
    TX                     :    3,400        2,900        2,600          90     
    WA                     :    1,400        1,600        1,500          94     
    Total                  :   13,300       13,600       11,600          85     
                           :                                                    
  Storage                  :                                                    
    CO                     :   18,000       19,000       17,500          92     
    ID                     :    8,800        8,900        8,800          99     
    MI                     :    7,400        7,000        6,100          87     
    MN                     :      860          680          750         110     
    NY                     :   13,200       12,800       12,300          96     
    OH                     :      500          490          490         100     
    OR                     :                                                    
      Malheur              :   12,700       12,600       12,200          97     
      West                 :    7,100        6,900        6,500          94     
    UT                     :    2,200        2,300        2,200          96     
    WA                     :   10,800       12,500       12,500         100     
    WI                     :    2,000        2,000        1,700          85     
                           :                                                    
    Subtotal               :   83,560       85,170       81,040          95     
                           :                                                    
    CA 2/                  :   31,000       30,500       28,500          93     
                           :                                                    
    Total                  :  127,860      129,270      121,140          94     
                           :                                                    
  US                       :  166,460      166,570      162,240          97     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Primarily fresh market.                                                     
2/  Primarily Processing.                                                       
                                                                                
Asparagus:  Intended acreage for harvest is estimated at 68,900 acres, off      
            3 percent from 1995.  Growth in California's northern and central   
growing regions were stimulated by warm weather and heavy rains.  However,      
adverse weather slowed development in the southern desert region.  Growers      
added acreage in northern and central areas.  In Michigan, acreage declined as  
some older fields were taken out of production, and some small growers quit.    
Some low lying fields in New Jersey showed signs of root rot as a result of     
excessive moisture and poor drainage.  An average growing season is expected    
there.                                                                          
                                                                                
Snap Beans:  Acreage for spring harvest is estimated at 21,700 acres, up        
             15 percent from last year.  Acreage was up in three of the four    
selected states.  In Florida, planting was virtually complete.  Frosts during   
February burned leaves and strong winds during March damaged some plants.       
Freezing temperatures are expected to have adversely affected the spring crop   
in Georgia.                                                                     
                                                                                
Broccoli:  California's acreage for spring harvest is forecast at               
           20,300 acres, up 4 percent from 1995.  The crop was developing       
slightly ahead of schedule with harvest already started in a few areas.         
Quality looks good.                                                             
                                                                                
Cabbage:  Intended acreage for spring harvest, estimated at 9,200 acres is an   
          increase of 6 percent from last year.  The Florida crop received no   
major damage from the freezes in February and March.  However, the freezes may  
have adversely affected the crop in Georgia.  The start of major planting in    
New Jersey has been delayed at least 10 days due to adverse weather             
conditions.                                                                     
                                                                                
Cantaloups:  Acreage intended for harvest is estimated at 39,600 acres, up      
             6 percent from 1995.  The crop in California was progressing       
better than normal, but the crop in Georgia was probably hurt by freezing       
temperatures.                                                                   
                                                                                
Carrots:  Intended acreage for harvest is estimated at 22,600 acres, up         
          4 percent from last year. The California harvest was slightly ahead   
of normal with size and quality reported as good.  No serious pest problems     
were reported. The early February freeze in Florida killed some young           
plantings around Lake Apopka which growers were unable to replant.              
                                                                                
Cauliflower:  California's acreage for spring harvest is estimated at           
              11,300 acres, up 3 percent from 1995.  The crop showed good       
development and quality.  Moisture arrived with adequate timing and amounts.    
                                                                                
Celery:  California's acreage for spring harvest is forecast at 5,300 acres,    
       up 4 percent from last year.  Cool weather in the early portion of the   
year hindered some development, but the majority of the crop is in good         
condition.                                                                      
                                                                                
Sweet Corn:  Intended acreage for harvest is estimated at 37,200 acres, up      
             6 percent from 1995.  Favorable conditions caused the California   
crop to progress better than normal.  Producers around Lake Okeechobee in       
Florida started planting after mid-January with some acreage killed by          
freezing temperatures during early February.  Zellwood producers began          
planting after mid-February with a considerable amount killed by an early       
March freeze. The Zellwood and Everglades growers are replanting most of the    
affected acreage.                                                               
                                                                                
Cucumbers:  Spring harvested acreage is estimated at 8,200 acres, down          
            21 percent from 1995.  Freezing temperatures in Florida during      
early February destroyed some spring plantings in the Palmetto-Ruskin and       
southwest areas.  Growers replanted most of the lost acreage.  Crop covers      
protected fields in the East coast region from cold temperatures.  Plants       
suffered some damage from strong winds blowing sand during March with           
prospective yield prospects lowered due to bloom losses.                        
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Eggplant:  Florida harvested acreage is estimated at 500 acres, down 200 acres  
           from 1995.  The crop was in variable condition and was slowly        
improving with the warmer weather.  Cold temperatures caused some earlier       
foliage burn and strong winds and blowing sand caused some additional scarring  
damage.  Quality was fair with expected volume low to average.                  
                                                                                
Escarole/Endive:  Intended acreage for spring harvest is estimated at           
                  1,000 acres, unchanged from last year. Florida growers lost   
no acreage to the recent freezes. The cold temperatures singed outer leaves     
but plants were recovering from this damage.                                    
                                                                                
Honeydew Melons:  Acreage for harvest is forecast at 6,000 acres, down          
                  19 percent from 1995.  Favorable conditions allowed the       
California crop to progress better than normal.                                 
                                                                                
Head Lettuce:  Intended acreage for harvest is forecast at 41,900 acres, down   
               1 percent from last year.  In California, early March rains      
caused mildew in a few areas but the crop was readily treated.  Head sizes      
ranged from average to above average, with good quality.  In New Jersey,        
planting had just started a week later than normal.  Acreage decreases were     
caused by previous season's poor prices.  Producers in New Mexico reported      
their crop to be in good condition.                                             
                                                                                
Spring Onions:  Georgia's onion production is forecast at 1.70 million cwt.,    
                down 28 percent from 1995.  Harvested acreage is expected to    
be 13,600 acres, up 9 percent from the previous year.  Due to adverse weather   
conditions. The crop is mostly in poor to fair condition and yield is           
projected to average 125 cwt. per acre.  Texas production is forecast at 4.10   
million cwt, up 9 percent from last year.  Area for harvest, at 14,400 acres,   
is 1 percent greater  than last year.  The average yield of 285 cwt per acre    
is up 20 cwt.  Spring onion acreage for harvest in the four producing States    
(Arizona, California, Georgia, and Texas) is estimated at 37,500 acres, up 5    
percent from a year ago and 6 percent above 1994.  Arizona's acreage is up 600  
acres from last year, but California's acreage was unchanged. Crop development  
in California looked good and was on schedule.  Wet fields and blight were      
concerns in some areas.                                                         
                                                                                
Summer Onions:  Non-storage acreage are planted on 11,600 acres, down 15        
                percent from last year and 13 percent below 1994. Producers in  
New Mexico, had not reported any damage to their crop from recent windy         
weather. Planting of the New Mexico crop was near completion by the end of      
March and was in mostly good condition.                                         
                                                                                
Storage onions (except California) are intended to be planted on 81,040 acres,  
a loss of 5 percent from last year and 3 percent below 1994. Producers in most  
States have reduced acreage in response to the current low prices.  Some        
reductions in acreage in Idaho and Oregon were due to concerns of increased     
production in Washington.  Planting had just begun in Idaho and Malheur County  
Oregon, although occasional rain and snow showers interrupted progress.         
                                                                                
California farmers expect to plant 28,500 acres of summer onions, mostly for    
processing.  This is a 7 percent decrease from last year. Wet weather in early  
March caused some downy mildew problems with the crop in the north. Weed        
control was also a problem.  However, the northern crop has progressed well.    
Progress of the crop in the south was ahead of normal, although disease         
pressures were high.                                                            
                                                                                
                                                                                
Bell Peppers:  Acreage for harvest is estimated 8,100 acres, down 7 percent     
               from 1995.  Recent freezing temperatures in Florida destroyed    
some spring plantings and forced growers to replant lost acreage.               
                                                                                
                                                                                
Strawberries:  Acreage intended for spring harvest is estimated at 34,250       
               acres, up 4 percent from last year.  Production of the           
California spring crop is estimated at 14.5 million cwt, up 9 percent from      
last year.  California's projected yield, of 575 cwt per acre would be a        
record.  Harvest in central California had just started, and was two to three   
weeks ahead of average.  In Washington, producers were concerned about          
problems the come with wet and flooded fields.  Production of the Florida       
winter crop is estimated at 1.6 million cwt, down 7 percent from 1995.          
Several periods of cold and wet weather reduced yields and lowered quality.     
                                                                                
                                                                                
Tomatoes:  Intended acreage for harvest is forecast at 30,700 acres, unchanged  
           from last year.  Freezing temperatures in Florida during early       
February severely damaged spring crop plantings in the Palmetto-Ruskin area.    
However, growers replanted most of the affected acreage.  The cold weather      
also harmed fruit in several localities around Immokalee with picking greatly   
curtailed during late February and most of March.  Although plants along the    
east coast region survived the freeze, the amount of fruit harvested during     
late February and most of March that did not meet grade standards, was well     
above usual.  Most Dade County fields escaped severe damage from the freeze.    
Weather conditions delayed tomato plantings in Arkansas.  Progress of the       
California crop was ahead of normal.                                            
                                                                                
                                                                                
Watermelons:  Acreage intended for harvest is estimated at 79,600 acres, down   
              2 percent from last year.  In Alabama, some producers reported    
problems trying to locate seed.  Progress of the crop in California was ahead   
of normal.  The spring crop in southwest Florida was damaged by freezing        
temperatures in February, which caused some fields to be replanted.  In early   
March, plants that were up in central and north Florida were all killed by      
freezing temperatures.  The central and north growers have replanted the lost   
acreage.                                                                        
                                                                                
Growers of vegetables for processing intend to plant 1.47 million acres in      
1996, down 4 percent from 1995.  Acreage for canning, estimated at 1.06         
million acres is down 2 percent; while acreage for freezing at 412,030 acres,   
is down                                                                         
9 percent.                                                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
          Processing Vegetables:  Prospective Plantings and Production          
            by Crop and Expected Utilization, United States, 1994-96            
                                      (Domestic Units)                          
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :                  Area Planted                   :           
    Utilization   :-------------------------------------------------: Contract  
        and       :           :         1995          :    1996     :  1996 as  
       Crop       :   1994    :-----------------------:  Contract   : % of 1995 
                  :   Total   :   Total   :Contract 1/:Intentions 1/:           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :-------------------- Acres --------------------     Percent  
                  :                                                             
All Processing    :                                                             
  Snap Beans      :   230,600     227,540     219,610      208,830        95    
  Sweet Corn      :   550,700     531,410     530,410      518,600        98    
  Cucumbers for   :                                                             
   Pickles        :   120,410     121,450     100,660       97,290        97    
  Green Peas      :   309,640     320,300     319,200      281,900        88    
  Tomatoes        :   347,540     359,080     354,880      361,240       102    
  Total           : 1,558,890   1,559,780   1,524,760    1,467,860        96    
                  :                                                             
Canning           :                                                             
  Snap Beans      :   156,550     160,960     157,130      148,800        95    
  Sweet Corn      :   329,590     320,890     320,190      314,100        98    
  Green Peas      :   143,840     140,220     140,220      134,400        96    
                  :                                                             
Freezing          :                                                             
  Snap Beans      :    74,050      66,580      62,480       60,030        96    
  Sweet Corn      :   221,110     210,520     210,220      204,500        97    
  Green Peas      :   165,800     180,080     178,980      147,500        82    
                  :-------------------------------------------------------------
                  :                   Production                    :           
                  :-------------------------------------------------: Contract  
                  :           :         1995          :    1996     :  1996 as  
                  :   1994    :-----------------------:  Contract   : % of 1995 
                  :   Total   :   Total   :Contract 1/:Intentions 1/:           
                  :-------------------------------------------------------------
                  :--------------------- Tons --------------------     Percent  
                  :                                                             
Tomatoes          :11,542,310  11,276,090  11,135,750   12,115,500       109    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.                                        
                                                                                
                                                                                
       Processing Vegetables:  Prospective Plantings and Production             
            by Crop and Expected Utilization, United States, 1994-96            
                                 (Metric Units)                                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                       Area Planted                        
     Utilization    :-----------------------------------------------------------
         and        :              :            1995             :     1996     
        Crop        :     1994     :-----------------------------:   Contract   
                    :    Total     :    Total     : Contract 1/  :Intentions 1/ 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                         Hectares                          
                    :                                                           
All Processing      :                                                           
  Snap Beans        :      93,320         92,080         88,870         84,510  
  Sweet Corn        :     222,860        215,060        214,650        209,870  
  Cucumbers for     :                                                           
   Pickles          :      48,730         49,150         40,740         39,370  
  Green Peas        :     125,310        129,620        129,180        114,080  
  Tomatoes          :     140,650        145,320        143,620        146,190  
  Total             :     630,870        631,230        617,060        594,030  
                    :                                                           
Canning 2/          :                                                           
  Snap Beans        :      63,350         65,140         63,590         60,220  
  Sweet Corn        :     133,380        129,860        129,580        127,110  
  Green Peas        :      58,210         56,750         56,750         54,390  
                    :                                                           
Freezing 2/         :                                                           
  Snap Beans        :      29,970         26,940         25,290         24,290  
  Sweet Corn        :      89,480         85,200         85,070         82,760  
  Green Peas        :      67,100         72,880         72,430         59,690  
                    :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :                        Production                         
                    :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :              :            1995             :     1996     
                    :     1994     :-----------------------------:   Contract   
                    :    Total     :    Total     : Contract 1/  :Intentions 1/ 
                    :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :                        Metric Tons                        
                    :                                                           
Tomatoes            :  10,471,010     10,229,500     10,102,180     10,991,000  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.                                        
2/  Utilization may not add to total crop because of rounding.                  
                                                                                
                                                                                
            Snap Beans for Processing:  Area Planted and Utilization            
                       by State and United States, 1994-96                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :                  Area Planted                   :           
       State      :-------------------------------------------------: Contract  
        and       :           :         1995          :    1996     :  1996 as  
    Utilization   :   1994    :-----------------------:  Contract   : % of 1995 
                  :   Total   :   Total   :Contract 1/:Intentions 1/:           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :  ------------------- Acres ------------------      Percent  
                  :                                                             
FL                :    3,100       1,000       1,000                            
GA                :                                         1,200               
IL 2/             :   15,800      18,100      18,100       18,400        102    
IN                :    3,600       4,400       4,400        4,000         91    
MI                :   23,000      23,000      18,700       20,000        107    
NY                :   18,000      22,300      21,600       20,900         97    
OR                :   23,200      23,600      23,600       22,700         96    
PA                :    7,000       8,500       6,440        6,400         99    
WI                :   84,800      74,400      74,400       69,800         94    
                  :                                                             
Oth Sts 3/        :   52,100      52,240      51,370       45,430         88    
                  :                                                             
US                :  230,600     227,540     219,610      208,830         95    
                  :                                                             
Canning           :  156,550     160,960     157,130      148,800         95    
                  :                                                             
Freezing          :   74,050      66,580      62,480       60,030         96    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.                                        
2/  Revised 1995.                                                               
3/  1994 - AZ, AR, CA, DE, GA, ID, MD, MN, MO, NJ, NC, OH, OK,  SC, TN, TX, UT, 
    VA, and WA.                                                                 
    1995 - AZ, AR, CA, DE, GA, MD, MN, MO, NJ, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, and  
    WA.                                                                         
    1996 - AR, CA, DE, FL, MD, MN, MO, NJ, NC, OH, TN, TX, VA, and WA.          
                                                                                
                                                                                
            Sweet Corn for Processing:  Area Planted and Utilization            
                       by State and United States, 1994-96                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :                  Area Planted                   :           
       State      :-------------------------------------------------: Contract  
        and       :           :         1995          :    1996     :  1996 as  
    Utilization   :   1994    :-----------------------:  Contract   : % of 1995 
                  :   Total   :   Total   :Contract 1/:Intentions 1/:           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :  ------------------- Acres ------------------      Percent  
                  :                                                             
ID                :   17,400      15,900      15,900       17,700        111    
IL                :   36,700      29,200      29,200       29,200        100    
MI                :    7,100       5,000       5,000        5,800        116    
MN                :  143,000     133,900     133,900      132,400         99    
NY                :   32,500      40,300      40,000       39,600         99    
OR                :   48,600      49,400      49,400       46,400         94    
PA                :    2,700       3,100       3,100        2,900         94    
WA                :   74,700      84,700      84,700       81,500         96    
WI                :  160,800     140,400     140,000      135,000         96    
                  :                                                             
Oth Sts 2/        :   27,200      29,510      29,210       28,100         96    
                  :                                                             
US                :  550,700     531,410     530,410      518,600         98    
                  :                                                             
Canning           :  329,590     320,890     320,190      314,100         98    
                  :                                                             
Freezing          :  221,110     210,520     210,220      204,500         97    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.                                        
2/  1994 - CA, DE, IN, IA, MD, NJ, and OH.                                      
    1995 - CA, DE, IA, MD, NJ, OH, and VA.                                      
    1996 - CA, DE, IA, MD, NJ, and OH.                                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  Cucumbers for Pickles:  Area Planted by State                 
                           and United States, 1994-96                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :                  Area Planted                   :           
                  :-------------------------------------------------: Contract  
       State      :           :         1995          :    1996     :  1996 as  
                  :   1994    :-----------------------:  Contract   : % of 1995 
                  :   Total   :   Total   :Contract 1/:Intentions 1/:           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :  ------------------ Acres ------------------       Percent  
                  :                                                             
CA                :    5,000       5,300       5,000       4,500          90    
CO                :      900         950         950         900          95    
FL                :    2,100       6,000       2,690       2,900         108    
IN                :    2,400       2,800       2,800       2,100          75    
MI                :   24,500      27,000      23,500      21,000          89    
NC                :   25,500      18,800      14,200      13,800          97    
OH                :    3,200       3,000       2,900       3,300         114    
SC                :    8,300       7,000       7,000       5,100          73    
TX                :   13,900      13,000      11,300      12,400         110    
WI                :    6,200       6,200       5,500       6,900         125    
                  :                                                             
Oth Sts 2/        :   28,410      31,400      24,820      24,390          98    
                  :                                                             
US                :  120,410     121,450     100,660      97,290          97    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.                                        
    1994-95 - AL, AZ, AR, DE, GA, IL, KY, LA, MD, MA, MN, MO, NJ, NY,  OR, VA,  
    and WA.                                                                     
    1996 - AL, AR, DE, GA, IL, KY, LA, MD, MA, MN, MD, NJ, NY, OR, VA, and WA.  
                                                                                
                                                                                
            Green Peas for Processing:  Area Planted and Utilization            
                       by State and United States, 1994-96                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :                  Area Planted                   :           
       State      :-------------------------------------------------: Contract  
        and       :           :         1995          :    1996     :  1996 as  
    Utilization   :   1994    :-----------------------:  Contract   : % of 1995 
                  :   Total   :   Total   :Contract 1/:Intentions 1/:           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :  ------------------- Acres ------------------      Percent  
                  :                                                             
MN                :   84,900      92,900      92,900       84,600         91    
NY                :   10,200      18,400      18,400       18,500        101    
OR                :   37,100      36,600      36,600       18,900         52    
WA                :   61,800      59,200      59,200       54,200         92    
WI                :   73,400      68,200      68,200       68,400        100    
                  :                                                             
Oth Sts 2/        :   42,240      45,000      43,900       37,300         85    
                  :                                                             
US                :  309,640     320,300     319,200      281,900         88    
                  :                                                             
Canning           :  143,840     140,220     140,220      134,400         96    
                  :                                                             
Freezing          :  165,800     180,080     178,980      147,500         82    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.                                        
2/  CA, DE, ID, IL, IA, ME, MD, MI, NJ, and PA.                                 
                                                                                
              Tomatoes for Processing:  Area Planted and Production             
                       by State and United States, 1994-96                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :                  Area Planted                   :           
                  :-------------------------------------------------: Contract  
       State      :           :         1995          :    1996     :  1996 as  
                  :   1994    :-----------------------:  Contract   : % of 1995 
                  :   Total   :   Total   :Contract 1/:Intentions 1/:           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  :-------------------- Acres --------------------     Percent  
                  :                                                             
CA                :   318,000     331,000     327,000      334,000       102    
CO                :       200         220         220          220       100    
IN                :     7,300       6,900       6,900        6,600        96    
MI                :     4,600       4,200       4,100        4,400       107    
OH                :    11,700      11,000      10,900       11,200       103    
PA 2/             :     1,300       1,500       1,500        1,500       100    
                  :                                                             
Oth Sts 3/        :     4,440       4,260       4,260        3,320        78    
                  :                                                             
US                :   347,540     359,080     354,880      361,240       102    
                  :                                                             
                  :-------------------------------------------------------------
                  :                   Production                    :           
                  :-------------------------------------------------: Contract  
                  :           :         1995          :    1996     :  1996 as  
                  :   1994    :-----------------------:  Contract   : % of 1995 
                  :   Total   :   Total   :Contract 1/:Intentions 1/:           
                  :-------------------------------------------------------------
CA                :10,748,160  10,606,820  10,472,980   11,400,000       109    
CO                :     3,200       1,840       1,840        3,300       179    
IN                :   205,920     157,450     157,450      180,600       115    
MI                :   144,000     125,050     122,000      135,800       111    
OH                :   342,660     269,670     266,220      302,100       113    
PA 2/             :    25,600      36,600      36,600       31,300        86    
                  :                                                             
Oth Sts 3/        :    72,770      78,660      78,660       62,400        79    
                  :                                                             
US                :11,542,310  11,276,090  11,135,750   12,115,500       109    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.                                        
2/  Revised.                                                                    
3/  1994 - DE, IL, MD, NJ, NY, SC, TX, and VA.                                  
    1995 - DE, IL, MD, NJ, NY, TX, and VA.                                      
    1996 - DE, IL, MD, NJ, NY, and VA.                                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
Snap Beans:  Processors contracted to plant 208,830 acres of snap beans,        
             5 percent less than last year.  Contracted acreage for canning,    
at 148,800 acres is 5 percent less than the 1995 total, while contracted for    
freezing, at 60,030 acres, was 4 percent less than last year's total.           
Acreage was down in all major states except Illinois and Michigan.  Data for    
the 1995 Illinois crop has been revised from 20,600 acres to 18,100 acres.      
                                                                                
                                                                                
Sweet Corn:  Contract intentions call for 516,900 acres of sweet corn in        
             1996, off 3 percent from last year.  Acreage was down or           
unchanged in all major states except Idaho and Michigan.  Contracted acreage    
for canning, at 314,100 acres is 2 percent less than the 1995 total, while      
contracted for freezing, at 204,500 acres, was 3 percent less than last         
year's total.                                                                   
                                                                                
                                                                                
Cucumbers for Pickles:  Pickle packers intend to contract 97,290 acres of       
                        cucumbers for pickles, down 3 percent from last year.   
Acreage intentions were up in Florida, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin. Acreage      
reductions were estimated for California, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, North    
Carolina and South Carolina.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
Green Peas:  An estimated 281,900 acres of green peas are to be planted for     
             processing.  This level is 12 percent less than last year.         
Acreage was equal to or less than last year in all major states except New      
York.  Oregon had the largest acreage decline as one major processor            
discontinued operations in the state.                                           
                                                                                
                                                                                
Tomatoes for Canning:  Processors are increasing tomato acreage by 2 percent    
                       this year.  Contracts with growers cover 361,240 acres   
in 1996, compared with 354,880 acres last year.  Tonnage contracts covering     
12.1 million tons is up 9 percent from last year.  California production is     
estimated at 11.4 million tons, a new record if realized.  Below normal         
precipitation in early January, allowed California producers to get a good      
start on this year's crop.                                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                               Index                                            
                            Fresh Market                                        
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                           Page 
                                                                                
                                                                                
By Crops                                                                        
                                                                                
                                                                                
    Area...............................................................      2  
    Harvested Acres of Selected Vegetables, Melons and Dual Purpose Crops       
    Asparagus..........................................................      6  
    Beans, Snap........................................................      4  
    Broccoli...........................................................      4  
    Cabbage............................................................      4  
    Cantaloups.........................................................      4  
    Carrots............................................................      4  
    Cauliflower........................................................      4  
    Celery.............................................................      4  
    Corn, Sweet........................................................      4  
    Cucumbers..........................................................      5  
    Eggplant...........................................................      5  
    Escarole/Endive....................................................      5  
    Honeydew Melons....................................................      5  
    Lettuce, Head......................................................      5  
    Onions, Spring.....................................................      6  
    Peppers, Bell......................................................      5  
    Strawberries.......................................................      6  
    Tomatoes...........................................................      5  
    Watermelons........................................................      5  
    Planted Acres of selected Vegetables                                        
    Onions, Summer and Storage.........................................      7  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                             Processing                                         
                                                                                
                                                                                
By Crops                                                                        
                                                                                
                                                                                
    Area...............................................................     11  
                                                                                
  Principal Vegetables                                                          
    Beans, Snap........................................................     13  
    Corn, Sweet........................................................     14  
    Cucumbers for Processing...........................................     15  
    Peas, Green........................................................     16  
    Tomatoes...........................................................     17  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
The next "Vegetables" report will be released at 3 p.m. ET on July 10, 1996.    
                                                                                
                                                                                
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To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington,      
D.C., 20250, or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD).  USDA is   
an equal employment opportunity employer.                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
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