Walnuts - Walnut production is 5 percent below the 1997 record level, with the production forecast at 255 thousand tons. Bearing acreage is estimated at 177.2 thousand acres. Decreased yields are expected due to heavy rains during the blooming period. The crop progress is about two to three weeks later than normal. This is unchanged from the April forecast and up 10 percent from the 1996-97 production level of 40.0 million cartons.
Fruit has good quality with large fruit size.
The Valencia orange forecast, at 60.0 million cartons, is 25 percent above the previous season. Several days during the month set single day high temperature records. Many recording stations in the citrus belt received less than two inches of rain during June. Growers and caretakers irrigated around the clock to keep groves and new trees alive and in good condition. Non-irrigated groves showed signs of stress, yellowing, wilting, and leaf loss.