HDR1012000140060912970800Vegetables                                             
                                                                                
Vegetables                                                                      
                                                                                
     National                                                                   
     Agricultural                                                               
     Statistics                                                                 
     Service                                                                    
                                                                                
USDA                                                                            
Washington, D.C.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Released September 10, 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.                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
        Processing Production Down 9 Percent from Last Year                     
                                                                                
Processing vegetable production for the 4 major processing crops is forecast    
at 14.3 million tons, down 9 percent from last year and 10 percent less than 2  
years ago.  Production of processing tomatoes, at 10.0 million tons, is off 11  
percent from last year and the lowest since 1993.  Snap bean production, at     
718,460 tons, is down 3 percent from last year.  Sweet corn production, at      
3.07 million tons, is off 7 percent from last year, and green pea production,   
at 494,680 tons, is up 20 percent from 1996.  Acres for harvest for the 4       
major processing vegetable crops, at 1.20 million acres, are 4 percent less     
than in 1996.                                                                   
                                                                                
                                                                                
              Storage Onion Production Down 2 Percent                           
                                                                                
Storage onion production (excluding California) is forecast at 35.8 million     
hundredweight, up 8 percent from last year and 2 percent more than in 1995.     
Total onion production (excluding Nevada) is estimated at 61.8 million          
hundredweight, 3 percent more than last year  but 2 percent less than 2 years   
ago.                                                                            
                                                                                
                                                                                
               Asparagus Production Down 1 Percent                              
                                                                                
Production of the 1997 asparagus crop is estimated at 1.98 million cwt, 1       
percent less than in 1996 and 2 percent less than in 1995.  Acres harvested,    
at 73,570, are up slightly from last year and 2 percent greater than in 1995.   
Fresh production of 1.20 million cwt, is up 7 percent from 1996 and 9 percent   
greater than 1995.  Processed production, at 38,910 tons, is off 10 percent     
from 1996 and 16 percent less than 1995.                                        
                                                                                
                                                                                
                Processing Production Down 9 Percent                            
                                                                                
Snap Beans:  Production of snap beans is estimated at 718,460 tons, down 3      
percent from last year but 7 percent more than in 1995.  A 3 percent decrease   
in harvested acreage more than offset a .01 ton per acre increase in yield.     
The growing season in California was  very good with adequate water supplies    
and favorable temperatures.  In North Carolina, New Jersey, and parts of        
Delaware and Maryland, hot and dry conditions reduced yields, especially on     
non-irrigated fields.  A cool, wet spring, followed by a dry summer, stunted    
the growth of some non-irrigated fields in New York.  Irrigated fields have     
persevered, and an average crop is expected.  The harvesting is late, and       
about 30 percent of the New York crop was harvested by the beginning of         
September.  In Wisconsin, cool temperatures and damp conditions during August,  
with scattered heavy rains in the southern part of the state, decreased some    
yields.                                                                         
                                                                                
Sweet Corn:  Expected sweet corn production is estimated at 3.07 million tons,  
down 7 percent from last year and off 8 percent from 1995.  An 8 percent        
decrease in acreage more than offset a .11 ton per acre increase in yield.  In  
Delaware, the harvest has progressed well with fair to good yields reported.    
In New York, a long cool spring, followed by a hot dry summer, reduced yield    
potentials, especially on non-irrigated land.  Harvest was about 60 percent     
complete by September 1.  In Wisconsin, the crop received adequate moisture.    
However, cool conditions in mid-August slowed growth.  The late season crop     
looks good, with good yields anticipated.  Harvest of the crop in Minnesota is  
active, and progress, at 64 percent complete, was well ahead of last year and   
average.  Producers in Idaho reported that their crop had excellent yields and  
good quality.  Harvests in Oregon and Washington were active and on schedule.   
                                                                                
                                                                                
Tomatoes:  Tomato production is forecast at 10.0 million tons, 11 percent less  
than last year and 10 percent less than the 1995 crop. A 13 percent decrease    
in acreage more than offset a .75 ton increase in yield.  Cool, wet spring      
conditions delayed tomato maturity in the eastern half of the Nation.  In       
Michigan, the harvest was delayed nearly 3 weeks by the slow-maturing crop.     
Yield prospects appear good, provided that the weather stays favorable.  In     
California, ideal weather conditions in late spring and early summer induced    
good growth.  However, unexpected cool nights raised concerns about mold        
damage. Unseasonable rains in mid-August brought mold damage to some fields in  
Yolo County.  The extent of the damage was unknown as of September 1.           
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
              Processing Vegetables:  Area Harvested and Production             
                         by Crop, United States, 1995-97                        
                                (Domestic Units)                                
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                    :                      Area Harvested                       
                    :---------------------------------------------------------- 
        Crop        :              :            1996             :  Indicated   
                    :     1995     :-----------------------------:     1997     
                    :    Total     :    Total     : Contract 1/  : Contract 1/  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                    :                           Acres                           
                    :                                                           
All Processing      :                                                           
  Snap Beans        :     213,040        198,750        192,700        187,460  
  Sweet Corn        :     483,910        474,200        472,600        434,400  
  Green Peas 2/     :     304,000        247,200        247,200        282,300  
  Tomatoes          :     344,380        339,120        335,820        291,350  
                    :                                                           
  Total             :   1,345,330      1,259,270      1,248,320      1,195,510  
                    :                                                           
  Cucumbers for     :                                                           
   Pickles 3/       :     116,890        105,800         91,250                 
                    :                                                           
  Total 5 Vegetables:   1,462,220      1,365,070      1,339,570                 
                    :---------------------------------------------------------- 
                    :                        Production                         
                    :---------------------------------------------------------- 
                    :              :            1996             :  Indicated   
                    :     1995     :-----------------------------:     1997     
                    :    Total     :    Total     : Contract 1/  : Contract 1/  
                    :---------------------------------------------------------- 
                    :                           Tons                            
                    :                                                           
All Processing      :                                                           
  Snap Beans        :     695,450        760,170        739,750        718,460  
  Sweet Corn        :   3,324,150      3,296,330      3,287,010      3,066,420  
  Green Peas 2/     :     492,590        413,800        413,800        494,680  
  Tomatoes          :  11,286,040     11,408,740     11,277,810     10,018,610  
                    :                                                           
  Total             :  15,798,230     15,879,040     15,718,370     14,298,170  
                    :                                                           
  Cucumbers for     :                                                           
   Pickles 3/       :     610,460        575,720        481,560                 
                    :                                                           
  Total 5 Vegetables:  16,408,690     16,454,760     16,199,930                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.                                        
2/  Carried forward from earlier forecast.                                      
3/  Cucumbers for pickles will be published in the January annual.              
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
              Processing Vegetables:  Area Harvested and Production             
                         by Crop, United States, 1995-97                        
                                 (Metric Units)                                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                    :                      Area Harvested                       
                    :---------------------------------------------------------- 
        Crop        :              :            1996             :  Indicated   
                    :     1995     :-----------------------------:     1997     
                    :    Total     :    Total     : Contract 1/  : Contract 1/  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                    :                         Hectares                          
                    :                                                           
All Processing      :                                                           
  Snap Beans        :      86,220         80,430         77,980         75,860  
  Sweet Corn        :     195,830        191,900        191,260        175,800  
  Green Peas 2/     :     123,030        100,040        100,040        114,240  
  Tomatoes          :     139,370        137,240        135,900        117,910  
                    :                                                           
  Total             :     544,450        509,610        505,180        483,810  
                    :                                                           
  Cucumbers for     :                                                           
   Pickles 3/       :      47,300         42,820         36,930                 
                    :                                                           
  Total 5 Vegetables:     591,750        552,430        542,110                 
                    :---------------------------------------------------------- 
                    :                        Production                         
                    :---------------------------------------------------------- 
                    :              :            1996             :  Indicated   
                    :     1995     :-----------------------------:     1997     
                    :    Total     :    Total     : Contract 1/  : Contract 1/  
                    :---------------------------------------------------------- 
                    :                        Metric Tons                        
                    :                                                           
All Processing      :                                                           
  Snap Beans        :     630,900        689,610        671,090        651,770  
  Sweet Corn        :   3,015,620      2,990,380      2,981,910      2,781,790  
  Green Peas 2/     :     446,870        375,390        375,390        448,760  
  Tomatoes          :  10,238,530     10,349,840     10,231,000      9,088,680  
                    :                                                           
  Total             :  14,331,920     14,405,220     14,259,390     12,971,000  
                    :                                                           
  Cucumbers for     :                                                           
   Pickles 3/       :     553,800        522,280        436,860                 
                    :                                                           
  Total 5 Vegetables:  14,885,720     14,927,500     14,696,250                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.                                        
2/  Carried forward from earlier forecast.                                      
3/  Cucumbers for pickles will be published in the January annual.              
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
       Snap Beans for Processing:  Area Harvested, Yield, and Production        
                      by State and United States, 1995-97                       
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
       :                            Area Harvested                              
       :----------------------------------------------------------------------  
 State :                 :               1996                :   Indicated      
       :      1995       :-----------------------------------:      1997        
       :      Total      :      Total      :   Contract 1/   :  Contract 1/     
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
       :                                Acres                                   
       :                                                                        
FL     :       1,000                                                            
IL     :      16,500            18,900            16,000           11,000       
IN     :       4,100               670               670            2,000       
MI     :      21,500            21,000            21,000           22,000       
NY     :      21,400            20,200            20,200           20,600       
OR     :      23,600            22,500            22,500           23,300       
PA     :       8,200             4,100             4,100            7,400       
WI     :      67,900            62,300            61,600           58,500       
       :                                                                        
Oth    :                                                                        
 Sts 2/:      48,840            49,080            46,630           42,660       
       :                                                                        
US     :     213,040           198,750           192,700          187,460       
       :----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
       :     Yield per Acre      :                  Production                  
       :----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
       :       :       :Indicated:          :         1996          : Indicated 
       : 1995  : 1996  :  1997   :   1995   :-----------------------:   1997    
       : Total : Total :Contract :  Total   :           : Contract  : Contract  
       :       :       :   1/    :          :   Total   :    1/     :    1/     
       :----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
       :                                  Tons                                  
       :                                                                        
FL     : 2.90                        2,900                                      
IL     : 2.40    3.90     3.70      39,600      73,710      62,400      40,700  
IN     : 3.07    2.31     2.80      12,590       1,550       1,550       5,600  
MI     : 2.86    3.30     3.00      61,490      69,300      69,300      66,000  
NY     : 3.59    3.50     3.50      76,830      70,700      70,700      72,100  
OR     : 5.93    5.96     6.80     139,950     134,100     134,100     158,440  
PA     : 2.25    3.21     3.20      18,450      13,160      13,160      23,680  
WI     : 3.21    3.72     3.60     217,960     231,760     229,390     210,600  
       :                                                                        
Oth    :                                                                        
 Sts 2/: 2.57    3.38     3.31     125,680     165,890     159,150     141,340  
       :                                                                        
US     : 3.26    3.82     3.83     695,450     760,170     739,750     718,460  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.                                        
2/  1995 - AZ, AR, CA, DE,  ID, GA, MD, MN, MO, NJ, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, 
    and WA.                                                                     
    1996 - AR, CA, DE, FL, GA, MD, MN, MO, NJ, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, and WA.  
    1997 - AR, CA, DE, FL, GA, MD, MN, MO, NJ, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, and  
    WA.                                                                         
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
       Sweet Corn for Processing:  Area Harvested, Yield, and Production        
                      by State and United States, 1995-97                       
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
       :                            Area Harvested                              
       :----------------------------------------------------------------------  
 State :                 :               1996                :   Indicated      
       :      1995       :-----------------------------------:      1997        
       :      Total      :      Total      :   Contract 1/   :  Contract 1/     
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
       :                                Acres                                   
       :                                                                        
ID     :      14,000            17,500            17,500           15,000       
IL     :      26,300            22,200            22,100           15,900       
MI     :       4,100             3,700             3,700                        
MN     :     116,400           120,100           120,100          110,500       
NY     :      38,500            40,900            40,900           36,700       
OR     :      48,900            48,300            48,300           45,700       
PA     :       2,900             2,700             2,700            2,700       
WA     :      82,700            75,300            75,300           79,000       
WI     :     123,800           115,900           114,400          102,000       
       :                                                                        
Oth    :                                                                        
 Sts 2/:      26,310            27,600            27,600           26,900       
       :                                                                        
US     :     483,910           474,200           472,600          434,400       
       :----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
       :     Yield per Acre      :                  Production                  
       :----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
       :       :       :Indicated:          :         1996          : Indicated 
       : 1995  : 1996  :  1997   :   1995   :-----------------------:   1997    
       : Total : Total :Contract :  Total   :           : Contract  : Contract  
       :       :       :   1/    :          :   Total   :    1/     :    1/     
       :----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
       :                                  Tons                                  
       :                                                                        
ID     : 8.85    9.22     9.50      123,900     161,350     161,350     142,500 
IL     : 5.10    6.20     5.90      134,130     137,640     137,020      93,810 
MI     : 6.00    6.75                24,600      24,980      24,980             
MN     : 5.77    5.99     6.00      671,630     719,400     719,400     663,000 
NY     : 5.80    5.50     5.00      223,300     224,950     224,950     183,500 
OR     : 9.25    9.07     9.45      452,330     438,080     438,080     431,870 
PA     : 5.10    6.30     6.70       14,790      17,010      17,010      18,090 
WA     : 9.96    9.04     9.30      823,690     680,710     680,710     734,700 
WI     : 5.58    6.05     6.10      690,800     701,200     692,500     622,200 
       :                                                                        
Oth    :                                                                        
 Sts 2/: 6.27    6.92     6.57      164,980     191,010     191,010     176,750 
       :                                                                        
US     : 6.87    6.95     7.06    3,324,150   3,296,330   3,287,010   3,066,420 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.                                        
2/  1995 - CA, DE, IA, MD, NJ, OH, and VA.                                      
    1996 - DE, IA, MD, NJ, and OH.                                              
    1997 - DE, IN, IA, MD, NJ, and TN.                                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
        Tomatoes for Processing:  Area Harvested, Yield, and Production         
                      by State and United States, 1995-97                       
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
       :                            Area Harvested                              
       :----------------------------------------------------------------------  
 State :                 :               1996                :   Indicated      
       :      1995       :-----------------------------------:      1997        
       :      Total      :      Total      :   Contract 1/   :  Contract 1/     
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
       :                                Acres                                   
       :                                                                        
CA     :     317,000           313,000           310,000          269,000       
CO     :         180               220               220                        
IN     :       6,700             6,400             6,400            6,500       
MI     :       4,500             4,400             4,300            3,400       
OH     :      10,400            10,500            10,400            9,000       
PA     :       1,400               800               800            1,100       
       :                                                                        
Oth    :                                                                        
 Sts 2/:       4,200             3,800             3,700            2,350       
       :                                                                        
US     :     344,380           339,120           335,820          291,350       
       :----------------------------------------------------------------------  
       :     Yield per Acre      :                  Production                  
       :----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
       :       :       :Indicated:          :         1996          : Indicated 
       : 1995  : 1996  :  1997   :   1995   :-----------------------:   1997    
       : Total : Total :Contract :  Total   :           : Contract  : Contract  
       :       :       :   1/    :          :   Total   :    1/     :    1/     
       :----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
       :                                  Tons                                  
       :                                                                        
CA     : 33.46   34.06    34.94   10,606,820 10,660,780  10,540,000   9,400,000 
CO     : 10.22   17.72                 1,840      3,900       3,900             
IN     : 23.50   28.20    26.00      157,450    180,480     180,480     169,000 
MI     : 30.00   32.50    34.00      135,000    143,000     138,600     115,600 
OH     : 25.93   29.30    28.20      269,670    307,650     304,750     253,800 
PA     : 26.14   27.88    24.00       36,600     22,300      22,300      26,400 
       :                                                                        
Oth    :                                                                        
 Sts 2/: 18.73   23.85    22.90       78,660     90,630      87,780      53,810 
       :                                                                        
US     : 32.77   33.64    34.39   11,286,040 11,408,740  11,277,810  10,018,610 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes acreage from major brokers.                                        
2/  1995 - DE, IL, MD, NJ, NY, SC, TX, and VA.                                  
    1996-97 - DE, IL, MD, NJ, NY, SC, and VA.                                   
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Asparagus:  Production of the 1997 asparagus crop is estimated at 1.98 million  
cwt, 1 percent less than in 1996 and 2 percent less than in 1995.  Acres        
harvested, at 73,570, are up slightly from last year and 2 percent greater than 
in 1995.  Fresh production of 1.20 million cwt, is up 7 percent from 1996 and 9 
percent greater than 1995. Processed production, at 38,910 tons, is off 10      
percent from 1996 and 16 percent less than 1995.  Asparagus for canning, at     
28,400 tons, is down 19 percent from last year.  Frozen asparagus production of 
10,505 tons is 23 percent greater than in 1996.  Total value of the crop, at    
182 million dollars, is 16 percent greater than in 1996 and 3 percent more than 
in 1995.  Michigan's harvest got off to a slow start due to record cold         
temperatures with some frost damage in May. Harvest then proceeded normally.    
Above average temperatures in late June shortened the New Jersey harvest.       
Quality was generally good and prices were comparable to the previous year.     
Harvest is virtually complete in California. Producers reported that the crop   
is of good quality.  The Washington harvest started at its usual time in        
mid-April.  However, cooler and wetter than normal spring conditions reduced    
yield                                                                           
potential.                                                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Asparagus for Fresh Market and Processing:  Area Planted and Harvested,    
        Yield, Production, and Value by State and United States, 1995-97        
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :          Area Planted          :         Area Harvested         
     State    :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :   1995   :   1996   :   1997   :   1995   :   1996   :   1997   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :                              Acres                              
              :                                                                 
CA            :  30,800     30,000     32,700     28,000     29,000     30,100  
IL            :     720        300        200        720        300        200  
MI            :  17,500     18,000     18,000     17,000     17,500     17,500  
NJ            :   1,000      1,000      1,000        900        900      1,000  
WA            :  24,000     24,000     24,000     23,000     23,000     23,000  
              :                                                                 
Oth Sts 1/    :   2,720      2,860      1,770      2,720      2,860      1,770  
              :                                                                 
US            :  76,740     76,160     77,670     72,340     73,560     73,570  
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :         Yield per Acre         :           Production           
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :   1995   :   1996   :   1997   :   1995   :   1996   :   1997   
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :  ------------ Cwt -----------    --------- 1,000 Cwt ---------  
              :                                                                 
CA            :      28         26         27        784        754        813  
IL            :      10          9         11          7          3          2  
MI            :      18         17         15        306        298        263  
NJ            :      28         40         23         25         36         23  
WA            :      37         36         36        851        828        828  
              :                                                                 
Oth Sts 1/    :      19         24         29         51         70         52  
              :                                                                 
US            :      28         27         27      2,024      1,989      1,981  
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :                              Value                              
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :            Per Cwt             :             Total              
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :   1995   :   1996   :   1997   :   1995   :   1996   :   1997   
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :  ---------- Dollars ---------    ------- 1,000 Dollars -------  
              :                                                                 
CA            :  117.00      85.90     116.00     91,728     64,769     94,012  
IL            :   73.10     120.00     141.00        512        360        282  
MI            :   65.70      67.50      67.70     20,106     20,110     17,792  
NJ            :  112.00     107.00     107.00      2,800      3,852      2,461  
WA            :   68.90      76.50      77.50     58,659     63,312     64,204  
              :                                                                 
Oth Sts 1/    :   66.00      61.40      70.30      3,365      4,298      3,657  
              :                                                                 
US            :   87.50      78.80      92.10    177,170    156,701    182,408  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
1/  IN, MD, MN, and OR.                                                         
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
        Asparagus for Fresh Market and Processing:  Production and Value        
                by Utilization, State, and United States, 1995-97               
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
  Utilization :                           Production                            
      and     :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
     State    :        1995         :        1996         :        1997         
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :                            1,000 Cwt                            
              :                                                                 
Fresh Market  :                                                                 
  MI          :           36                    33                    39        
  NJ          :           25                    36                    23        
  WA          :          231                   268                   308        
  Oth Sts 1/  :          808                   783                   833        
              :                                                                 
US            :        1,100                 1,120                 1,203        
              :                              Tons                               
              :                                                                 
Processing    :                                                                 
  MI          :       13,500                13,260                11,200        
  WA          :       31,000                28,000                26,000        
  Oth Sts 1/  :        1,680                 2,200                 1,710        
              :                                                                 
US            :       46,180                43,460                38,910        
              :                                                                 
Canning       :       37,550                34,940                28,400        
              :                                                                 
Freezing      :        8,630                 8,520                10,510        
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :                              Value                              
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :            Per Unit            :             Total              
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :   1995   :   1996   :   1997   :   1995   :   1996   :   1997   
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              : ------- Dollars per Cwt ------   ------- 1,000 Dollars -------  
              :                                                                 
Fresh Market  :                                                                 
  MI          :    71.00      79.00      80.00     2,556      2,607      3,120  
  NJ          :   112.00     107.00     107.00     2,800      3,852      2,461  
  WA          :   109.00     114.00     108.00    25,179     30,552     33,264  
  Oth Sts 1/  :   116.00      85.50     115.00    93,636     66,985     96,011  
              :                                                                 
  US          :   113.00      92.90     112.00   124,171    103,996    134,856  
              : ------- Dollars per Ton ------    ------- 1,000 Dollars ------  
Processing    :                                                                 
  MI          : 1,300.00   1,320.00   1,310.00    17,550     17,503     14,672  
  WA          : 1,080.00   1,170.00   1,190.00    33,480     32,760     30,940  
  Oth Sts 1/  : 1,170.00   1,110.00   1,140.00     1,969      2,442      1,940  
              :                                                                 
  US          : 1,150.00   1,210.00   1,220.00    52,999     52,705     47,552  
              :                                                                 
Canning       : 1,120.00   1,220.00   1,210.00    41,984     42,581     34,280  
              :                                                                 
Freezing      : 1,280.00   1,190.00   1,260.00    11,015     10,124     13,272  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
1/  CA, IL, IN, MD, MN, and OR.                                                 
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Onions:  Annual production of onions (excluding Nevada) is forecast at 61.8     
million hundredweight, up 3 percent from comparable production in 1996 but 2    
percent less than 1995.  Acreage for harvest, at 153,430, is down 3 percent     
from last year's comparable acreage.  Yield per acre, at 403 cwt, is 20 cwt     
more than 1996's comparable yield.                                              
                                                                                
Storage Onions:   Production of summer storage onions (excluding California) is 
forecast at 35.8 million cwt, 8 percent more than 1996 and 2 percent more than  
in 1995.  Harvested acreage, at 80,330, is 4 percent more than last year, while 
yield at 445 cwt per acre is 17 cwt more than in 1996.  In Wisconsin, cool      
mid-August conditions promoted weed growth but slowed onion development. Onion  
harvest in Michigan is underway. Maturity is behind, but the crop outlook is    
excellent.  Yield is forecast at a record tying high due to moderate summer     
conditions.  Dry conditions in New York did not necessarily hurt onion yields.  
Recent rainfall should help size onions and improve conditions. Harvest is to   
start about a week later than usual due to a wet, cool spring. Overabundance of 
precipitation in July and August resulted in disease problems for the Colorado  
crop.  Producers expect a lower than average yield.  The weather in Eastern     
Oregon was cooler during the summer than last year.  Although the weather has   
not been unfavorable for onions, the cooler temperatures could bring lower      
yields than in 1996.  Western Oregon had a hot, dry summer which could produce  
higher yields than in 1996.  Washington onions are in good condition and an     
excellent harvest is in progress.  Size is larger than normal.  Producers       
expect a record yield at this time.                                             
                                                                                
California production is forecast at 12.8 million cwt, 4 percent less than last 
year but 1 percent greater than two years ago. Acres harvested, at 29,000, are  
6 percent less than last year. Yield, at 440 cwt per acre, is 10 cwt greater    
than in 1996.                                                                   
                                                                                
Spring Onions: The season end report of spring onions places production at 9.2  
million cwt, down 1 percent from last year and 9 percent less than in 1995.     
Acreage harvested, at 32,900 acres, is down 11 percent from a year ago, but     
yield at 278 cwt per acre is up 26 cwt per acre.  The value of the spring crop  
is estimated at 172 million dollars, 36 percent greater than last year.         
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
             Onions:  Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, Production,            
                       and Value, Selected States, 1996-97                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :                   Area                    :   Yield per Acre    
     Crop     :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
      and     :       Planted       :      Harvested      :          :          
     State    :-------------------------------------------:   1996   :   1997   
              :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   :          :          
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :  ---------------- Acres ----------------      ----- Cwt ----    
              :                                                                 
  Spring      :                                                                 
    AZ        :   2,100      1,800      1,900      1,800      400        410    
    CA        :   7,500      7,400      7,200      7,200      380        445    
    GA        :  16,000     16,200     14,700     15,800      120        220    
    TX        :  15,300     12,400     13,000      8,100      310        215    
    Total     :  40,900     37,800     36,800     32,900      252        278    
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :     Production      :                   Value                   
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :          :          :       Per Cwt       :        Total        
              :   1996   :   1997   :------------------------------------------ 
              :          :          :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :  --- 1,000 Cwt --      ---- Dollars ---        1,000 Dollars    
              :                                                                 
  Spring      :                                                                 
    AZ        :    760        738       8.63       9.91       6,559      7,315  
    CA        :  2,736      3,204       9.80      14.30      26,813     45,817  
    GA        :  1,764      3,476      30.50      25.60      53,800     88,990  
    TX        :  4,030      1,742       9.68      17.20      39,010     29,940  
    Total     :  9,290      9,160      13.60      18.80     126,182    172,062  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                 Onions:  Yield, and Production by Season, Type,                
                               and State, 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 1/    :  15,700    13,900    11,200     397       400       366   
                    :                                                           
  Storage           :                                                           
    CO              :  17,800    16,000    16,500     345       325       340   
    ID              :   8,700     8,600     8,200     630       650       660   
    MI              :   6,400     5,800     6,000     290       310       340   
    MN              :     520       520       570     240       220       300   
    NY              :  12,600    11,400    11,600     320       240       300   
    OH              :     480       490       460     305       380       350   
    OR  Malheur -   :  12,300    12,000    12,000     580       590       590   
        West        :   6,800     6,300     7,400     400       380       400   
    UT              :   2,200     2,100     2,300     440       470       460   
    WA              :  12,500    12,700    13,500     490       510       530   
    WI              :   1,900     1,700     1,800     235       370       350   
    Subtotal        :  82,200    77,610    80,330     428       428       445   
                    :                                                           
    CA 2/           :  30,500    31,000    29,000     415       430       440   
                    :                                                           
    Summer Total    : 128,400   122,510   120,530     421       425       437   
                    :                                                           
    US              : 164,000   159,310   153,430     391       385       403   
                    :---------------------------------------------------------- 
                    :                        Production                         
                    :---------------------------------------------------------- 
                    :       1995        :       1996        :       1997        
                    :---------------------------------------------------------- 
                    :                         1,000 Cwt                         
                    :                                                           
Spring              :      10,110               9,290               9,160       
Summer              :                                                           
  Non-Storage 1/    :       6,239               5,558               4,100       
                    :                                                           
  Storage           :                                                           
    CO              :       6,141               5,200               5,610       
    ID              :       5,481               5,590               5,412       
    MI              :       1,856               1,798               2,040       
    MN              :         125                 114                 171       
    NY              :       4,032               2,736               3,480       
    OH              :         146                 186                 161       
    OR  Malheur -   :       7,134               7,080               7,080       
        West        :       2,720               2,394               2,960       
    UT              :         968                 987               1,058       
    WA              :       6,125               6,477               7,155       
    WI              :         447                 629                 630       
    Subtotal        :      35,175              33,191              35,757       
                    :                                                           
    CA 2/           :      12,658              13,330              12,760       
                    :                                                           
    Summer Total    :      54,072              52,079              52,617       
                    :                                                           
    US              :      64,182              61,369              61,777       
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
1/  Carried forward from earlier forecast.                                      
2/  Primarily for processing.                                                   
                                                                                
                                                                                
The next Vegetables report will be released at 3 p.m. ET on October 8, 1997.    
                                                                                
                                                                                
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