Nationally, intended acreage for harvest is estimated at 25,700 acres, down 8 percent from last year. Cooler temperatures in the Salinas area slowed crop development. Therefore, early yields are expected to be slightly below normal. Crop quality is excellent throughout the State. California's acreage for spring harvest is forecast at 5,000 acres, up 6 percent from last year.
Harvest is nearly complete in the Imperial Valley.
A harvest delay of seven days is expected in the coastal areas due to abnormally cool temperatures. California's sweet corn acreage, at 11,800, is down 4 percent from 1998. Growing conditions have been excellent with warm temperatures and low rainfall. Nationally, acreage for harvest is forecast at 38,200 acres, down 7 percent from last year. California honeydew melon acreage of 3,500 is 3 percent greater than a year ago.