Acreage contracted, at 285 thousand acres, is up 7 percent from last year. During the past five years, for which an early season processing tomato report has been available, June 1 contracted tonnage versus the final delivered contracted production is as shown in the chart.
Extreme weather continues to delay planting and growth, while bacteria and fungal problems increase.
Most of the San Joaquin Valley expects to start harvesting by mid-July. Some processors anticipate receiving tomatoes until mid-October. This early processing tomato survey is funded by the California League of Food Processors in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The USDA estimate for all states will be issued on July 9. 1998 - Contra Costa, Glenn, Madera, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, Tulare, and Ventura.