Vegetable release, October 3, 2008

Vegetables
Washington, D.C.

Released October 3, 2008, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of
Agriculture. For information on Vegetables call Debbie Flippin at (202) 720-2157, office hours 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET.

Fall Season Fresh Vegetable Harvested Area Down 4 Percent
Fall Season Melon Harvested Area Up 1 Percent
Summer Storage Onion Production Down 10 Percent
The prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh market vegetables during the fall quarter is forecast
at 151,370 acres, down 4 percent from last year. Acreage declined from last year for snap beans,
cabbage, cauliflower, celery, head lettuce, and bell peppers while acreage increased for carrots, sweet
corn, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Area harvested for broccoli remains unchanged.
Area forecasted for fall melon harvest is 15,600 acres, up 1 percent from last year. Cantaloup harvested
area is forecast at 12,100 acres, unchanged from 2007. Honeydew harvested area is forecast at
3,500 acres, up 6 percent from last fall.
Summer storage onion production is forecast at 51.5 million hundredweight, down 10 percent from last
year. Storage onion harvested area is forecast at 99,620 acres, down 8 percent from 2007. California
production, at 12.9 million hundredweight, is 1 percent below 2007. Harvested area is expected to total
30,000 acres, down 2 percent from last year.

Vg 1-1 (10-08)

Contents
Page
Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons
Beans, Snap ............................................................................................................................................6
Broccoli ..................................................................................................................................................6
Cabbage ..................................................................................................................................................6
Cantaloups ..............................................................................................................................................6
Carrots ....................................................................................................................................................6
Cauliflower .............................................................................................................................................6
Celery .....................................................................................................................................................6
Corn, Sweet ............................................................................................................................................6
Cucumbers..............................................................................................................................................7
Honeydew Melons..................................................................................................................................7
Lettuce, Head..........................................................................................................................................7
Onions, Spring......................................................................................................................................10
Summer Non-storage..........................................................................................................................10
Summer Storage .................................................................................................................................10
Peppers, Bell...........................................................................................................................................7
Tomatoes ................................................................................................................................................7
Fresh Market Crop Comments ...........................................................................................................8
Onion Crop Comments ......................................................................................................................11
Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons, by Season and Crop.............................................4

Vegetables
October 2008

2

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Vegetables
October 2008

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Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Season
and Crop, Major States, 2006-2007 and Forecasted Area 2008
(Domestic Units)
Area
Season
Harvested
and
Crop
2006
2007
Acres

Acres

For
Harvest
2008
Acres

Winter

179,100

179,600

173,700

Spring

281,200

279,150

275,750

Summer

410,700

418,400

392,300

13,100
30,000
6,600
15,200
8,500
6,800
5,200
6,300
31,100
3,000
21,000

18,500
28,000
6,300
19,100
8,300
7,100
8,300
5,600
33,200
4,400
18,400

16,200
28,000
5,770
19,300
7,900
7,000
8,800
5,700
30,000
3,700
19,000

146,800

157,200

151,370

12,400
3,600

12,100
3,300

12,100
3,500

16,000

15,400

15,600

162,800

172,600

166,970

Fall
Snap Beans
Broccoli 1
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower 1
Celery 1
Sweet Corn
Cucumbers
Head Lettuce
Bell Peppers 1
Tomatoes
Total
Cantaloups
Honeydew Melons
Total Melons
Total Fall Crop
1

Includes fresh market and processing.

Vegetables
October 2008

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Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Season
and Crop, Major States, 2006-2007 and Forecasted Area 2008
(Metric Units)
Area
Season
Harvested
and
Crop
2006
2007
Hectares

Hectares

For
Harvest
2008
Hectares

Winter

72,480

72,680

70,290

Spring

113,800

112,970

111,590

Summer

166,210

169,320

158,760

Fall
Snap Beans
Broccoli 1
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower 1
Celery 1
Sweet Corn
Cucumbers
Head Lettuce
Bell Peppers 1
Tomatoes

5,300
12,140
2,670
6,150
3,440
2,750
2,100
2,550
12,590
1,210
8,500

7,490
11,330
2,550
7,730
3,360
2,870
3,360
2,270
13,440
1,780
7,450

6,560
11,330
2,340
7,810
3,200
2,830
3,560
2,310
12,140
1,500
7,690

Total 2

59,410

63,620

61,260

5,020
1,460

4,900
1,340

4,900
1,420

6,480

6,230

6,310

65,880

69,850

67,570

Cantaloups
Honeydew Melons
Total Melons 2
Total Fall Crop 2
1
2

Includes fresh market and processing.
Totals may not add due to rounding.

Vegetables
October 2008

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Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Crop,
State, and Total, Fall Season, 2006-2007 and Forecasted Area 2008
Area
Crop
Usual
Harvested
and
Harvest
State
Period
2006
2007
Acres

Snap Beans
FL
GA
NJ
VA

Oct-Dec
Oct-Dec
Sep-Oct
Sep-Oct

Total

Acres

For
Harvest
2008
Acres

4,500
5,600
1,200
1,800

10,300
5,300
1,100
1,800

8,500
4,800
1,100
1,800

13,100

18,500

16,200

Broccoli 1
CA

Oct-Dec

30,000

28,000

28,000

Cabbage
FL
GA
NJ
TX

Oct-Dec
Oct-Dec
Sep-Nov
Sep-Nov

900
5,100
400
200

900
4,700
500
200

1,200
3,600
800
170

6,600

6,300

5,770

8,400
4,000

8,200
3,900

8,100
4,000

12,400

12,100

12,100

15,000
200

18,900
200

19,200
100

15,200

19,100

19,300

Total
Cantaloups
AZ
CA

Oct-Dec
Oct-Dec

Total
Carrots
CA
TX

Oct-Dec
Oct-Dec

Total
Cauliflower 1
CA

Oct-Dec

8,500

8,300

7,900

Celery 1
CA

Oct-Dec

6,800

7,100

7,000

Sweet Corn
CA
FL

Oct-Dec
Sep-Dec

3,500
1,700

4,100
4,200

3,300
5,500

5,200

8,300

Total
See footnote(s) at end of table.

Vegetables
October 2008

8,800
--continued

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Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Selected Fresh Market Vegetables and Melons: Area Harvested by Crop, State,
and Total, Fall Season, 2006-2007 and Forecasted Area 2008 (continued)
Area
Crop
Usual
Harvested
and
Harvest
State
Period
2006
2007
Acres

Cucumbers
FL
SC
TX
VA

Oct-Dec
Oct-Dec
Sep-Nov
Sep-Oct

Total
Honeydews
AZ
CA

Oct-Dec
Oct-Dec

Total
Head Lettuce
CA
NJ 2

Oct-Dec

Total
Bell Peppers 1
FL
TX 3

Oct-Dec

Total
Tomatoes
CA
FL

Oct-Dec
Sep-Dec

Total
1
2
3

Acres

For
Harvest
2008
Acres

4,000
700
700
900

3,200
800
700
900

3,300
600
800
1,000

6,300

5,600

5,700

1,300
2,300

1,200
2,100

1,500
2,000

3,600

3,300

3,500

31,000
100

33,000
200

30,000

31,100

33,200

30,000

2,900
100

4,400

3,700

3,000

4,400

3,700

11,000
10,000

11,000
7,400

11,500
7,500

21,000

18,400

19,000

Includes fresh market and processing.
Estimates discontinued in 2008.
Estimates discontinued in 2007.

Vegetables
October 2008

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Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Snap Beans: Fall fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 16,200 acres, down 12 percent from last
year. In Florida, during late August, rainfall from Tropical Storm Fay delayed some fieldwork. In early
September, some growers delayed planting due to persistent standing water in their fields. By midSeptember fields began to dry out allowing growers to proceed with planting. In New Jersey, growing
conditions were favorable for the fall snap bean crop. However, severe storms in late August damaged
some fields in the South Jersey area. Overall, the crop is reported to be in good condition.
Broccoli: California's area for fall harvest is forecast at 28,000 acres, unchanged from 2007. Harvest
of the fall crop is underway and is reported to range between very good to excellent condition.
Production volume is expected to remain strong throughout the growing season.
Cabbage: Fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 5,770 acres, down 8 percent from last year. Soil
moisture supplies in Georgia are reported to be adequate to short. In Florida, Tropical Storm Fay
delayed some planting over the central and southern Peninsulas throughout August and September.
Warm temperatures after planting boosted crop growth and development. Growers expect to plant their
cabbage crop through mid-December. In New Jersey, harvest of the cabbage crop started in late
September. Crop quality is reported to be good. In Texas, planting was on schedule. Harvest is
expected to begin by early October.
Cantaloups: Fall cantaloup area for harvest is forecast at 12,100 acres, unchanged from 2007.
Arizona’s harvest began the third week of September. The season is expected to be in full swing by
mid-October. In California, ideal temperatures benefitted the melon crop. No major insect or disease
problems have been reported.
Carrots: Area for fresh market harvest is forecast at 19,300 acres, up 1 percent from last year. In
California, baby carrots are in high demand. Harvest is underway and the crop is reported to be in good
condition with no unusual disease or insect problems. In Texas, planting was on schedule. Condition
of the crop is reported to be excellent in the southwest area of the State. Rainfall during July and
August benefitted soil moisture.
Cauliflower: Area for fall harvest in California is forecast at 7,900 acres, down 5 percent from last
year. Ideal growing conditions contributed to excellent sizing and crop quality. Harvest is underway
with no disease or insect problems reported.
Celery: California's fall area for harvest is forecast at 7,000 acres, down 1 percent from 2007.
Growing conditions have been favorable for the early fall celery crop.
Sweet Corn: Fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 8,800 acres, up 6 percent from last year. The
California crop is in excellent condition due to favorable weather during the summer and early fall. In
Florida, during late August, rainfall from Tropical Storm Fay delayed some fieldwork. In early
September, some growers delayed planting due to persistent standing water in their fields. By midSeptember fields began to dry out allowing growers to proceed with planting.
Cucumbers: Area for fall harvest is forecast at 5,700 acres, up 2 percent from 2007. In Florida,
tropical storms during August and September delayed some plantings over the central and southern
Peninsula areas. However, warm temperatures after planting boosted plant growth and development.
Growers in South Carolina experienced a hot and dry growing season. In Texas, planting was on
schedule despite downy mildew being reported in some fields.
Honeydews: Fresh market area for fall harvest is forecast at 3,500 acres, up 6 percent from last year.
Arizona’s harvest of fall season honeydews began the third week of September. California’s fall melon
Vegetables
October 2008

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Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

crop is progressing well due to ideal temperatures. No major insect or disease problems have been
reported.
Head Lettuce: California’s area for fall harvest is forecast at 30,000 acres, down 9 percent from last
year. Early planted lettuce fields have begun to emerge. Fields were being fertilized and treated to
control insects.
Bell Peppers: Florida’s fall area for harvest is forecast at 3,700 acres, down 16 percent from 2007.
Planting was delayed in South Florida due to excessive rainfall.
Tomatoes: Fresh market area for fall harvest is forecast at 19,000 acres, up 3 percent from 2007. In
California, harvesting of fall tomatoes was delayed in Fresno County due to water shortages. In Florida,
acreage remains historically low due to flooded fields, lack of demand during the summer season, and
high input costs.

Vegetables
October 2008

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Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Season
and
State

Spring
Summer
Non-Storage

Onions: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Season,
State, and United States, 2006-2007 and Forecasted 2008
Area
Yield per Acre
Harvested
2006

2007

Acres

Acres

2007

2008

Acres

Cwt

Cwt

Cwt

31,000

29,000

322

330

379

19,900

20,700

19,600

531

548

529

31,800
9,500
9,400
2,600
12,800

30,500
7,700
9,100
2,500
12,300

30,000
7,200
8,500
2,500
10,800

425
400
540
250
330

425
410
750
260
360

430
420
690
260
350

11,700
8,400
20,000
2,100

12,000
8,800
21,000
1,800

10,600
8,800
19,000
840

520
550
600
330

780
620
610
370

710
620
600
340

2,180

2,080

1,380

378

470

448

Total

110,480

107,780

99,620

466

532

517

Summer

130,380

128,480

119,220

476

534

519

164,980

159,480

148,220
Production

444

495

492

Oth Sts 2

US

2006

2007

2008

1,000 Cwt

1,000 Cwt

1,000 Cwt

Spring
Summer
Non-Storage

11,128

10,230

11,000

10,562

11,347

10,378

13,515
3,800
5,076
650
4,224

12,975
3,157
6,825
650
4,428

12,900
3,024
5,865
650
3,780

6,084
4,620
12,000
693

9,360
5,456
12,810
666

7,526
5,456
11,400
286

825

978

618

Total

51,487

57,305

51,505

Summer

62,049

68,652

61,883

73,177

78,882

72,883

Storage
CA 1
CO
ID
MI
NY
OR
Malheur
Other
WA
WI
Oth Sts 2

US
2

2006

34,600

Storage
CA 1
CO
ID
MI
NY
OR
Malheur
Other
WA
WI

1

For
Harvest
2008

Primarily for dehydrated and other processing.
OH and UT.

Vegetables
October 2008

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Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Summer Storage Onion Production Down 10 Percent
Summer storage onion production is forecast at 51.5 million hundredweight (cwt), down 10 percent
from last year. Harvested area is forecast at 99,620 acres, down 8 percent from 2007. The yield, at
517 cwt per acre, is down 15 cwt from last year. Planting of California=s storage onion crop was on
schedule. However, cool temperatures during the growing season delayed harvest. No major disease
problems were reported. In Colorado, harvest was a week behind schedule. In Idaho, harvest was
delayed due to excessive moisture and a cool summer during the growing season. In Michigan, earlyplanted onions emerged by the beginning of May. Prospects for the onion crop is reported to be good to
excellent. In New York, severe hailstorms in central New York resulted in some loss of acreage due to
abandonment. Malheur and Other Oregon producers expect lighter yields this season due to a cold
spring. Wisconsin experienced very wet conditions during the early part of the year, then unseasonable
dry conditions later in the season.

Vegetables
October 2008

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Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

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USDA Data Users’ Meeting
October 20, 2008

Doubletree Hotel Chicago O’Hare Airport-Rosemont
Rosemont, Illinois
(847) 292-9100
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will be organizing an open forum for data
users. The purpose will be to provide updates on pending changes in the various statistical and
information programs and seek comments and input from data users. Other USDA agencies to
be represented will include the Agricultural Marketing Service, the Economic Research Service,
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Division from the Census Bureau will also be included in the meeting.
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homepage at www.nass.usda.gov/forum/ or contact Marjorie Taylor (NASS) at (202) 690-8141
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