U.S. 2007 contracted processing vegetable production for the four major processing crops (snap beans, sweet corn, green peas, and tomatoes) is forecast at 16.7 million tons, up 13 percent from last year.  Production of processing tomatoes, at 12.6 million tons, is 19 percent above 2006.  Snap bean production, at 841,280 tons, is up 10 percent from last year's production.  Sweet corn production, at 2.88 million tons, is down 7 percent from last year, and green pea production, at 409,940 tons, is 1 percent above 2006.  Contracted area for harvest of the four major processing vegetable crops, at 1.08 million acres, is 1 percent above 2006.

Sweet Corn:  U.S. contracted sweet corn production is forecast at 2.88 million tons, down 7 percent from last year.  A decline of 5 percent in contracted harvested area is accompanied by a decline in yield of 0.17 tons per acre from 2006.  In Minnesota, cold and wet conditions slowed planting in early April.  Above normal temperatures in late April and early May allowed planting to progress rapidly. As of June 3rd, planting was 78 percent complete, compared with 64 percent for the five-year average.  In Washington, conditions have been mostly hot and dry throughout the summer.  Water supplies are adequate and harvest is progressing well.  The crop is reported to be mostly average to above average.  Wisconsin's season began with hot and dry weather.  By August, heavy rainfall hampered harvest.  Oregon experienced unseasonably hot weather in the middle of July, followed by unusually cool weather through the middle of August.  Despite torrential rains in the central and eastern sections of New York, yields are better than last year.  Weather conditions in Maryland have been very dry during the summer growing season.

            SWEET CORN FOR PROCESSING:   Area Harvested, Yield, and Production
by State, and United States, 2005-2006 and Forecasted 2007

Snap Beans:  U.S. contracted production of snap beans is forecast at 841,280 tons, up 10 percent from last year.  Contracted harvested area is down 1 percent, while yield is up 0.43 tons per acre.  In Wisconsin, white mold and pod rot were spotted in central portions of the State.  However, favorable conditions during the season helped to improve yields.  Oregon's harvest began the second week of July. Harvesting in Washington County was completed by mid-August.  Michigan's early planted crop was budding by the beginning of June. Late season planting was delayed due to rain.  Drought conditions across much of the State in July and August minimally affected the crop.  Florida's spring harvest was complete by early June.  Growers are preparing land for the fall crop planting.  In Illinois, the growing season has been ideal due to ample moisture.  In Indiana, the snap bean crop is in good condition despite hot and dry weather.

            SNAP BEANS FOR PROCESSING:   Area Harvested, Yield, and Production

by State, and United States, 2005-2006 and Forecasted 2007