Weather conditions have been favorable until winter, which has been drier than normal. Some growers have already irrigated the crop. California acreage is forecast at 30,000 acres, the same as last year, but 2 percent below 1998. The broccoli crop is in good condition due to mild weather. The crop is reported in good condition due to mild weather with very few problems reported.
Baby carrots continue to be in high demand.
California growers expect to harvest 11,500 acres, up 15 percent from last year and 28 percent above 1998. Cool nights and mildly warm days have been beneficial to the crop. The winter celery crop for harvest in California was forecast to be 7,500 acres. This was down 4 percent from 1999, but 3 percent above two years ago. Harvest is active in the Imperial Valley with good quality reported.