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VEGETABLES

Released: April 2005

Seasonal

No. 984-2-05

STORAGE ONIONS:

New York growers intend to plant 13,300 acres in 2005, 200 less than 2004 final acreage. U.S. storage planted acreage is 109,000 acres, down 4 percent from comparable States in 2004. California acreage, which is primarily dehydrated or otherwise processed, is forecast at 29,000 acres, down 1 percent from 2004. The California storage onion crop was planted with some rain delays but no major problems are reported. Mild temperatures in addition to recent rains have helped crop development. Colorado growers remain optimistic for a more normal crop this year due to an above-average snow pack. March precipitation was also above normal this year. Idaho onion planting has already begun due to early spring-like conditions. Irrigation supplies for the State are expected to be short. However, growers expect water supplies to be adequate for this year's crop. New York acreage is expected to be about the same as last year. Oregon acreage in Malheur is expected to decrease while acreage in other areas is expected to increase. In Utah, drought conditions have lessened due to good snowfall in the mountains and recent rain and snow in the growing areas. Most of the small and moderate sized reservoirs should be filled this year, but the large reservoirs and lakes will take a few more wet years to fill. In Washington, lack of rain or snow pack over the winter months is a concern for onion growers.

ONIONS: Area Planted by Season, State, and United States, 2003-2005

1/  Primarily fresh market.

2/  Includes Walla Walla and other non-storage onions.

3/  Primarily dehydrated and other processing

4/  2004 data not published to avoid disclosure of individual operations.

5/  Estimate discontinued in 2005.

6/  2004 and 2005 data not published to avoid disclosure of individual operations.

7/  2005 data not published to avoid disclosure of individual operations.

8/  2004 - MN and OH. 2005 - OH and UT.

SPRING ONIONS:

Producers intend to harvest 37,100 acres, up 4 percent from last year. Arizona growers have been unable to get into fields due to increased rainfall. Some growers are having to spray for mold because of the wet conditions. Some locations throughout California report mild temperatures and good conditions that have led to good stands. Some areas of California, however, are two weeks behind schedule because of below normal temperatures and rain. Some intended acreage was not planted due to wet field conditions. In Georgia, the crop is doing well and disease problems are minimal. Harvest will begin in early April and is expected to peak by the end of April. Irrigation in Georgia has been minimal. Texas onions are doing very well. Milder weather has made for optimum growing conditions.

STRAWBERRIES:

Acreage intended for harvest is forecast at 43,700 acres, up 2 percent from last year's comparable States. California's acreage for harvest is forecast at 34,300 acres, up 3 percent from 2004. The California strawberry season started slow this year due to heavy rainfall in Southern California which caused fruit damage and delayed harvest. However, production in recent weeks has increased. California acreage is reported to be moving north from the southern districts to Oxnard and Santa Maria. In Florida, the crop started slightly behind last year. Planting got a late start due to hurricanes blowing up the plastic. Harvest began in late November and should be finished in early April. Quality is reported as better than last year. The Oregon crop is expected to be smaller than last year because of dry conditions over the winter to the present time.

VEGETABLES FOR FRESH MARKET

1/  Primarily fresh market.

2/  First forecast will be published on July 8, 2005.

3/  Includes fresh market and processing.

4/  Seasonal estimate discontinued. Estimate to be published in the Vegetables 2005 Summary,

     released in January 2006.

SNAP BEANS:

Contracted intentions for New York is 21,700 acres in 2005, 800 acres more than last year.  U.S. processors contracted to plant 194,800 acres of snap beans, down 4 percent from last year. Contracted acreage for freezing, at 60,900 acres, is up 2 percent from 2004. Contracted acreage for canning, at 133,900 acres, is down 7 percent from 2004. Wisconsin's contracted acreage, at 71,300 acres, is down 4 percent from the previous year. In Illinois, growers expect to begin planting during the last week of April. Weather conditions have remained mild and no problems are reported. Indiana growers have not been able to get into fields to plant due to very wet conditions. North Carolina growers should begin planting in April after fields dry out from recent rains. Oregon had a very dry winter which will limit irrigation supplies for growers. Pennsylvania has experienced cold and wet conditions and growers are not sure at this time how the processed snap bean crop will do this year. Excessive rainfall in Texas disrupted planting. Virginia growers are preparing to plant.

GREEN PEAS:

New York processors intend to contract 20,600 acres of green peas in 2005, an 8 percent increase from last year.  U.S. green peas are forecast at 224,900 in 2005, up 7 percent from 2004. Contracted acreage for freezing, at 129,700 acres, is 2 percent more than last year. Contracted acreage for canning, at 95,200 acres, is 13 percent above 2004. In Wisconsin, growers intend to contract 38,600 acres of green peas, up 28 percent from last year. Planting for the Minnesota crop is expected to begin in early May. Excessive snowfall on March 18 in the vegetable growing areas may delay planting activities. Oregon experienced an unseasonably dry winter. This year, as of March 1, the snow pack was less than 25 percent of average in the west to less than 70 percent of average in the eastern part of the State. As a result, growers are concerned about availability of irrigation water. In Washington, planting is just getting started. The winter was warm and dry causing concern among growers that irrigation supplies will not be adequate this season.

VEGETABLES FOR PROCESSING: Area Planted and Utilization

by State and United States, 2003-2005