Picking of Valencia oranges and lemons in Southern California was active during May with good to excellent quality reported. Most of any salvageable fruit went to juice. Tree damage from the freeze was minimal and a good bloom was reported this spring for next season's crop. Bearing acres are estimated at 19,000. Set was very heavy this year, following one of the best blooms experienced in years.
Many growers are concerned about small sizes.
The crop is at least ten days later than average. Some growers noticed light frost damage. Cherries, Sweet - This year's sweet cherry crop is forecast at 50,000 tons, up 225 percent from the 1998 crop. Bearing acreage is estimated at 17,500, and the yield calculates to 2.86 tons per acre. Orchards received rain on a regular but moderate basis with a good amount of chill hours.