Southern California harvest ended two weeks early due to excellent growing and harvest conditions. Nationally, summer cantaloup acreage for harvest is forecast at 49,700 acres, down 4 percent from last year, but 6 percent greater than 1998. The Texas crop is looking good with many areas experiencing optimal rainfall recently. California carrot producers expect to harvest 21,000 acres, up 14 percent from last year. California growers report good quality and few problems with their carrot crop.
Kern County continues to produce carrots year round.
Nationally, acreage for fresh market harvest is forecast at 25,700 acres, up 11 percent from last year and 14 percent above 1998. Quality and yield are expected to be good this season with no major pest or disease problems reported. California's summer acreage for harvest is forecast at 5,300 acres, down 7 percent from 1999 and 4 percent below 1998. The summer celery crop in Salinas has benefitted from favorable weather and harvest has begun two weeks early as a result. In California, sweet corn is progressing well with no problems reported.