Grape production in New York is expected to total 205 thousand tons, according to the New York Agricultural Statistics Service.  This represents a 31 percent increase from a year ago, and a 38 percent increase from the 2001 production level.  New York grape production is on the rebound from the past 3 years.  This forecast ties the record high which was set in 1999. Record yields more than offset a decrease in acreage from 1999. New York growers experienced a cold, wet spring as well as a warm wet summer. Cluster counts are heavy this year. Thinning was necessary to help reach a more manageable crop. Growers are managing high disease pressure caused by wet weather.

Nationally, grape production is forecast at 7.06 million tons, down 4 percent from 2002 but 7 percent above 2001. California leads the U.S. in grape production with 89 percent of the total. Washington and New York are the next largest producing States, with 5 and 3 percent, respectively. California's all grape forecast, at 6.29 million tons, is unchanged from the July forecast but 6 percent below 2002. Washington expects to harvest 345 thousand tons, up 4 percent from a year ago.