Vegetable release, September 4, 2008

Vegetables
Washington, D.C.

Released September 4, 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 8:00 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. ET.

Contracted Processing Production Down 2 Percent from Last Year
Asparagus Production Down 15 Percent
Spring Onion Production Up 8 Percent
The 2008 contracted processing vegetable production for the four major processing crops (snap
beans, sweet corn, green peas, and tomatoes) is forecast at 16.3 million tons, down 2 percent from
last year. Production of processing tomatoes, at 12.1 million tons, is 3 percent below 2007. Snap
bean production, at 769,760 tons, is up 2 percent from last year=s production. Sweet corn
production, at 2.99 million tons, is up 3 percent from last year, and green pea production, at
426,830 tons, is 2 percent below 2007. Contracted area for harvest of the four major processing
vegetable crops, at 1.07 million acres, is 1 percent below 2007.
Production of the 2008 asparagus crop is forecast at 952,000 cwt, down 15 percent from 2007.
Area harvested, at 32,200 acres, is down 16 percent from last year. Fresh production of
718,000 cwt, declined 22 percent from 2007. Processed production, at 11,700 tons, is up 18 percent
from last year.
The end-of-season spring onion production estimate, at 11.0 million cwt, is up 8 percent from last
year. Area harvested, at 29,000 acres, is down 6 percent from a year ago, while yield, at 379 cwt
per acre, is up 49 cwt per acre from 2007. The value of the spring crop is estimated at 266 million
dollars, 20 percent below last year.

Vg 1-1 (9-08)

Table of Contents
Processing
Page
By Crops
Area and Production........................................................................................................................ 4
Principal Vegetables by State
Beans, Snap ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Corn, Sweet ..................................................................................................................................... 7
Tomatoes ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Processing Crop Comments ............................................................................................................ 9
Asparagus for Fresh Market and Processing................................................................................. 10
Crop Comments............................................................................................................................. 12
Onions, Spring............................................................................................................................... 13
Crop Comments............................................................................................................................. 13

Vegetables
September 2008

2

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Vegetables
September 2008

3

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Crop

Processing Vegetables: Area Harvested and Production
by Crop, United States, 2006-2007 and Forecasted 2008
(Domestic Units)
Area Harvested
2007
2006
Total
Total
Contract 1
Acres

All Processing
Snap Beans
Sweet Corn
Green Peas 2
Tomatoes
Total
Cucumbers for
Pickles 3
Total 5 Vegetables

Acres

202,570
367,600
207,400
313,600

197,900
367,600
207,400
310,600

186,750
379,500
212,900
292,900

1,087,340

1,091,170

1,083,500

1,072,050

103,000

95,500

83,100

1,186,670
Production
2007
Total

1,190,340

Tons

Total
Cucumbers for
Pickles 3

Acres

203,240
384,700
200,000
299,400

2006
Total
All Processing
Snap Beans
Sweet Corn
Green Peas 2
Tomatoes

Acres

2008
Contract 1

Tons

1,166,600

Contract

1

Tons

2008
Contract 1
Tons

785,950
3,085,550
409,850
10,611,820

767,770
2,897,430
435,930
12,659,890

751,090
2,897,430
435,930
12,542,890

769,760
2,987,960
426,830
12,113,160

14,893,170

16,761,020

16,627,340

16,297,710

505,190

507,560

451,460

Total 5 Vegetables
15,398,360
17,268,580
17,078,800
Includes acreage from major brokers.
2
Carried forward from earlier forecast.
3
Cucumbers for pickles will be published in the Vegetables 2008 Summary, released January 2009.
1

Vegetables
September 2008

4

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Crop

Processing Vegetables: Area Harvested and Production
by Crop, United States, 2006-2007 and Forecasted 2008
(Metric Units)
Area Harvested
2007
2006
Total
Total
Contract 1
Hectares

All Processing
Snap Beans
Sweet Corn
Green Peas 2
Tomatoes
Total 3
Cucumbers for
Pickles 4
Total 5 Vegetables 3

Hectares

81,980
148,760
83,930
126,910

80,090
148,760
83,930
125,700

75,580
153,580
86,160
118,530

440,040

441,590

438,480

433,850

41,680

38,650

33,630

472,110
480,230
Production
2007
Total
Contract 1

481,720

Metric Tons

Total 3
Cucumbers for
Pickles 4

Hectares

82,250
155,680
80,940
121,160

2006
Total
All Processing
Snap Beans
Sweet Corn
Green Peas 2
Tomatoes

Hectares

2008
Contract 1

Metric Tons

Metric Tons

2008
Contract 1
Metric Tons

713,000
2,799,150
371,810
9,626,830

696,510
2,628,490
395,470
11,484,800

681,370
2,628,490
395,470
11,378,660

698,310
2,710,620
387,210
10,988,820

13,510,790

15,205,260

15,083,990

14,784,960

458,300

460,450

409,560

Total 5 Vegetables 3
13,969,080
15,665,710
15,493,550
Includes acreage from major brokers.
2
Carried forward from earlier forecast.
3
Totals may not add due to rounding.
4
Cucumbers for pickles will be published in the Vegetables 2008 Summary, released January 2009.
1

Vegetables
September 2008

5

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

State

Snap Beans for Processing: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production
by State and United States, 2006-2007 and Forecasted 2008
Area Harvested
2007
2006
Total
Total
Contract 1
Acres

2

FL
IL
IN
MI
MN 2
NY 2
OR
PA
WI
Oth
Sts 3 4

Acres

2

FL
IL
IN
MI
MN 2
NY 2
OR
PA
WI
Oth
Sts 3 4

Acres

Acres

3,300
14,800
5,300
18,100

12,300
5,000
22,800

11,600
5,000
22,800

14,100
6,700
12,700
4,600

19,900
18,800
10,800
70,900

19,100
10,800
69,900

19,100
9,700
68,600

17,500
10,800
73,300

41,340

62,670

61,100

47,050

202,570

203,240
Yield per Acre

US

2008
Contract 1

2006
Total

2007
Total

2008
Contract 1

2006
Total

Tons

Tons

Tons

Tons

197,900
Production
2007
Total
Contract 1
Tons

Tons

186,750
2008
Contract 1
Tons

11,460
56,580
16,860
66,030

57,140
15,770
78,620

53,430
15,770
78,620

58,370
15,280
53,980
16,330

6.40
3.60
4.00

73,730
92,970
32,480
297,030

115,010
33,170
264,910

115,010
29,600
259,810

112,000
38,880
293,200

3.86

138,810

203,150

198,850

181,720

3.47
3.82
3.18
3.65

4.65
3.15
3.45

4.14
2.28
4.25
3.55

3.71
4.95
3.01
4.19

6.02
3.07
3.79

3.36

3.24

769,760
751,090
767,770
785,950
4.12
3.79
3.87
US
1
Includes acreage from major brokers.
2
Estimates not published to avoid disclosure of individual operations.
3
2006 - CA, DE, GA, MD, MN, NJ, NC, TX, and VA.
2007 - CA, DE, FL, GA, MD, MN, NJ, NY, NC, TX, and VA.
2008 - CA, DE, FL, GA, MD, NJ, NY, NC, TX, and VA.
4
Seasonal forecasts for AR and MO are not available. Estimates to be published in the Vegetables 2008 Summary,
released January 2009.

Vegetables
September 2008

6

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Sweet Corn for Processing: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production
by State and United States, 2006-2007 and Forecasted 2008
Area Harvested
2007
2006
Total
Total
Contract 1

State

Acres
2

Acres

DE
MD
MN
NY 2
OR
WA
WI

4,600
6,300
131,600
17,200
26,000
79,200
82,800

Oth
Sts 3

37,000

US

384,700
Yield per Acre

2

Acres

Acres

6,300
120,500

6,300
120,500

6,400
121,800

21,900
82,500
83,000

21,900
82,500
83,000

20,500
82,200
91,300

53,400

53,400

57,300

367,600

2006
Total

2007
Total

2008
Contract 1

2006
Total

Tons

Tons

Tons

Tons

DE
MD
MN
NY 2
OR
WA
WI

5.30
5.60
7.33
6.70
9.58
10.18
7.38

8.40
6.60

6.50
6.90

9.69
10.36
6.97

9.90
10.20
7.10

24,380
35,280
964,710
115,240
249,160
806,140
611,260

Oth
Sts 3

7.55

7.57

7.27

279,380

3,085,550
7.87
7.88
8.02
US
1
Includes acreage from major brokers.
2
Estimates not published to avoid disclosure of individual operations.
3
2006 - ID, IL, IA, NJ, TN, and VA.
2007 - DE, ID, IL, IA, NJ, NY, PA, TN, and VA.
2008 - DE, ID, IL, IA, NJ, NY, PA, TN, and VA.

Vegetables
September 2008

2008
Contract 1

7

367,600
Production
2007
Total
Contract 1
Tons

Tons

379,500
2008
Contract 1
Tons

52,920
794,850

52,920
794,850

41,600
840,420

212,240
854,310
578,720

212,240
854,310
578,720

202,950
838,440
648,230

404,390

404,390

416,320

2,897,430

2,897,430

2,987,960

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

State

Tomatoes for Processing: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production
by State and United States, 2006-2007 and Forecasted 2008
Area Harvested
2007
2006
Total
Total
Contract 1
Acres

Acres

Acres

CA
IN
MI
OH

282,000
7,800
3,300
6,300

296,000
8,400
3,300
5,900

US

299,400
Yield per Acre

313,600

CA
IN
MI
OH

2006
Total

2007
Total

2008
Contract 1

2006
Total

Tons

Tons

Tons

Tons

Acres

293,000
8,400
3,300
5,900

276,000
7,800
2,600
6,500

310,600
Production
2007
Total
Contract 1
Tons

Tons

292,900
2008
Contract 1
Tons

40.82
35.00
34.00
29.10

42.03 10,104,000
30.29
225,500
34.00
115,500
29.00
166,820

12,082,000
294,000
112,200
171,690

11,965,000
294,000
112,200
171,690

11,600,000
236,260
88,400
188,500

US
35.44
40.37
1
Includes acreage from major brokers.

41.36 10,611,820

12,659,890

12,542,890

12,113,160

Vegetables
September 2008

35.83
28.91
35.00
26.48

2008
Contract 1

8

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Snap Beans: Contracted production of snap beans is forecast at 769,760 tons, up 2 percent from
last year. Contracted harvested area is down 6 percent, but yield is up 0.33 tons per acre. In
Oregon, harvest was delayed due to cool and wet conditions. Cool temperatures in April and May
hindered crop development. The snap bean crop is reported to be in fair to good condition with no
disease or insect problems reported. In Michigan, cool, soil temperatures hampered early planted
snap beans. However, later plantings emerged in good condition by mid-June. The crop was in full
swing by the end of June. Early crop harvest began in mid-July under normal conditions in most
areas of the State. Minimal rainfall during August led to many fields being irrigated. In Illinois,
planting was delayed due to limited rainfall across the State. In Indiana, the snap bean crop is
reported to be in fair to good condition. In Minnesota, field preparation was delayed due to cold
and wet conditions in early April.
Sweet Corn: Contracted sweet corn production is forecast at 2.99 million tons, up 3 percent from
last year. An increase of 3 percent in contracted harvested area is accompanied by a decline in
yield of 0.01 ton per acre from 2007. In Minnesota, cold and wet conditions delayed field work in
early April. Harvest was 22 percent complete as of August 15. In Washington, conditions have
been mostly hot and dry throughout the summer. Water supplies are adequate and the crop is
reported to be mostly average to above average. Oregon’s harvest was delayed due to unseasonably
cool and wet conditions during the growing season. In Maryland, harvest of the sweet corn crop
was 71 percent complete as of August 18.
Tomatoes: Contracted tomato production is forecast at 12.1 million tons, down 3 percent from last
year. A decline of 6 percent in contracted harvested area is accompanied by a yield increase of
0.99 tons per acre. In California, the processed tomato crop was slightly behind schedule. A frost
in mid-April caused spotty damage to the crop in some areas of the State. Dry conditions and high
winds during spring hampered fruit setting and harvest. However, the condition of the crop is
reported to be excellent with no significant insect problems. In Ohio, harvest was 6 percent
complete by August 17. Michigan growers began transplanting throughout May. Early planted
tomatoes progressed well by the end of May despite dry soil. Stakes were put in fields during the
first week of June. Planting was near complete by mid-June. Ample moisture in July caused a
setback to plants in some fields. Harvest began in mid-August and the crop progressed well
throughout the growing season. Indiana=s processing tomatoes were in fair to good condition
despite dry weather during late July into mid-August. Some processors had to irrigate to make up
for the lack of rainfall.

Vegetables
September 2008

9

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

State

Asparagus for Fresh Market and Processing: Area Planted and Harvested,
Yield, Production, and Value by State and United States, 2006-2008
Area Planted
Area Harvested
2006
2007
2008
2006
2007
Acres

Acres

Acres

Acres

Acres

2008
Acres

CA
MI
WA

23,500
12,200
9,000

20,800
11,700
8,000

15,000
11,700
7,000

22,500
11,700
9,000

20,000
11,200
7,000

14,500
11,200
6,500

US

44,700

33,700

43,200

2008

2006

38,200
Production
2007

32,200

2006

40,500
Yield per Acre
2007

Cwt

Cwt

Cwt

1,000 Cwt

CA
MI
WA

23
22
42

29
21
43

29
23
42

US

27

29

30
Value

1,000 Cwt

2008
1,000 Cwt

518
257
378

580
235
301

421
258
273

1,153

1,116

952

2006

Per Cwt
2007

2008

2006

Total
2007

2008

Dollars

Dollars

Dollars

1,000 Dollars

1,000 Dollars

1,000 Dollars

CA
MI
WA

118.00
57.80
50.00

121.00
65.60
59.10

103.00
71.80
65.40

61,124
14,866
18,911

70,180
15,417
17,802

43,363
18,516
17,859

US

82.30

92.70

83.80

94,901

103,399

79,738

Vegetables
September 2008

10

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Utilization
and
State

Asparagus for Fresh Market and Processing: Production and Value
by Utilization, State, and United States, 2006-2008
Production
2006

2007

2008

1,000 Cwt

1,000 Cwt

1,000 Cwt

Fresh Market
CA 1
MI 2
WA 2

518
31
362

Oth Sts 3
US

911
Tons

Processing
MI 2
WA 2

580

421

338

297

918

718

Tons

Tons

11,300
800

Oth Sts 3

9,900

11,700

US

12,100

9,900

11,700

Canning

8,000

5,900

7,100

Freezing

4,100

4,000

4,600

Value

Fresh Market
CA 1
MI 2
WA 2

2006

Per Unit
2007

2008

Dollars per Cwt

Dollars per Cwt

Dollars per Cwt

118.00
64.00
49.50

121.00

103.00

61.50

68.90

99.10

88.90

Oth Sts 3
US

88.90
Dollars per Ton

Processing
MI 2
WA 2

Dollars per Ton

Dollars per Ton

2008

1,000 Dollars

1,000 Dollars

1,000 Dollars

61,124
1,984
17,919

81,027
1,000 Dollars

70,180

43,363

20,787

20,463

90,967

63,826

1,000 Dollars

1,000 Dollars

12,882
992

1,140.00
1,240.00

Oth Sts 3

2006

Total
2007

1,260.00

1,360.00

12,432

15,912

US

1,150.00

1,260.00

1,360.00

13,874

12,432

15,912

Canning

1,150.00

1,250.00

1,360.00

9,200

7,392

9,656

4,674

5,040

6,256

1,360.00
1,260.00
1,140.00
Freezing
1
Includes a small amount of processing asparagus.
2
Estimates not published to avoid disclosure of individual operations.
3
MI and WA.

Vegetables
September 2008

11

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Asparagus: Production from the 2008 asparagus crop is forecast at 952,000 cwt, down 15 percent
from last year. Harvested area, at 32,200 acres, is down 16 percent from 2007. Fresh production of
718,000 cwt, is down 22 percent from a year ago. Processed production, at 11,700 tons, is up
18 percent from 2007. Asparagus for canning, at 7,100 tons, is up 20 percent from last year.
Frozen asparagus production of 4,600 tons, is up 15 percent from 2007. Total value of the crop, at
79.7 million dollars, is down 23 percent from 2007. In California, a mostly excellent quality crop
was reported throughout the growing season, however, acreage continues to decline due to
competition from imports. In Michigan, the asparagus spears emerged in late April. Warm
temperatures allowed crop development to proceed ahead of schedule. Harvest began in early May
and continued at a slow pace for the remainder of the month due to weather conditions. Purple
spots were reported in some fields. Harvest was complete in some areas by mid-June.

Vegetables
September 2008

12

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Onions: Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, Production,
and Value, Selected States, 2007-2008
Area
Planted
Harvested
2007
2008
2007
2008

Crop
and
State

Acres

Spring
AZ
CA
GA
TX

1

Acres

Acres

2007

2008

Cwt

Cwt

1

Total

Spring
AZ
CA
GA
TX

Acres

Yield per Acre

1,200
7,600
12,500
12,500

1,500
6,700
12,000
11,000

1,200
7,400
12,000
10,400

1,500
6,500
11,500
9,500

450
450
270
300

440
440
320
400

33,800
Production

31,200

31,000

29,000
Value

330

379

2007

2008

1,000 Cwt

1,000 Cwt

Per Cwt

Total

2007

2008

2007

2008

Dollars

Dollars

1,000 Dollars

1,000 Dollars

1

Total
Primarily fresh market.

540
3,330
3,240
3,120

660
2,860
3,680
3,800

12.00
11.00
35.90
56.00

8.30
12.80
29.50
30.30

6,480
36,630
116,316
174,720

5,478
36,608
108,560
115,140

10,230

11,000

32.70

24.20

334,146

265,786

Spring Onions: The end-of-season spring onion production estimate, at 11.0 million cwt, is up
8 percent from last year. Area harvested, at 29,000 acres, is down 6 percent from a year ago, while
yield, at 379 cwt per acre, is up 49 cwt per acre from 2007. The value of the spring crop is
estimated at 266 million dollars, 20 percent less than last year. In Georgia, rainfall during the
winter months was normal to slightly below normal, while rainfall during spring was well below
normal. Temperatures were above normal during the winter and near normal during spring. The
State experienced drought conditions during most of the summer. However, rainfall in the southern
part of the State improved moisture conditions. Harvest got underway by the first week in April,
and the crop was rated good to excellent condition throughout the growing season. Yields are
reported to be the highest on record. Disease problems have been at a minimum and growers were
actively irrigating the spring onion crop. Planting of spring onions in California began in most
areas by early November under good conditions. A cool growing season slowed crop growth, and
some growers experienced problems with seeders and mildew. However, good quality was
reported of the spring onions crop.

Vegetables
September 2008

13

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,
the Foreign Agricultural Service, and World Agricultural Outlook Board. The Foreign Trade
Division from the Census Bureau will also be included in the meeting.
For registration details or additional information for the Data Users’ Meeting, see the NASS
homepage at www.nass.usda.gov/forum/ or contact Marjorie Taylor (NASS) at (202) 690-8141
or at [email protected].
This Data Users’ Meeting precedes an Industry Outlook meeting that will be held at the same
location on October 21, 2008. The Outlook meeting brings together analysts from various
commodity sectors to discuss the outlook situation. For registration details or additional
information for the Industry Outlook Meeting see the Livestock and Marketing Information
Center (LMIC) homepage at www.lmic.info or contact Jim Robb at (720) 544-2941 or at
[email protected].