The prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh-market vegetables during the spring quarter is forecast at 220,100 acres, down 1 percent from last year for comparable commodities.
Acreage decreases for broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, and head lettuce more than offset acreage increases for snap beans, sweet corn, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
Melon acreage for spring harvest is forecast at 84,300 acres, down 4 percent from last year. Cantaloupe, honeydews, and watermelon were down 4, 3, and 5 percent, respectively.
Asparagus acreage for spring harvest is forecast at 66,900 acres, down 5 percent from last year for comparable States.
Strawberry acreage for spring harvest is projected at 32,600 acres, up 7 percent from comparable States in 2001.
Processors expect to contract 1.26 million acres of the five major vegetable crops in the U.S. this year, up 3 percent from comparable States last year. Acreage increases are forecast for snap beans, cucumbers (for pickles), green peas, and tomatoes while sweet corn shows a decrease.
Freezing firms expect a 7 percent decrease from comparable States in 2001, with 394,300 acres under contract. Green pea acreage is down 2 percent from comparable States in 2001. Sweet corn acreage is down 7 percent. Snap bean acreage is down 16 percent from last year for comparable States.
Canneries contracted for 866,800 acres, up 9 percent from comparable States in 2001. Snap bean acreage is up 12 percent, cucumbers for pickles, up 21 percent, and tomato acreage is up 13 percent from 2001 for comparable States. Acreage for sweet corn is down 3 percent, while green pea acreage is up 11 percent.
Total planted onion acreage for all seasons in 2002 is forecast at 170,850 acres, a gain of 2 percent from last year. Spring Onions will be harvested from 38,500 acres in 2002, up 6 percent from last year. Georgia and Texas combined production is forecast at 7.62 million cwt, 6 percent above last year. Summer non-storage onion planted acreage, at 21,900 acres, is up 1 percent. While total summer onion acreage, at 131,350 acres, is up 2 percent from the previous year.
The prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh-market vegetables during the spring quarter is forecast at 220,100 acres, down 1 percent from last year for comparable commodities.