WATERMELON ACREAGE DOWN and S.C. CANTALOUP ACREAGE UNCHANGED

Columbia, S.C., July 12, 2005:  SOUTH CAROLINA'S summer fresh market vegetable producers plan to harvest 6,500 acres of watermelonsduring the June through September 2005 harvesting period, according to the USDA NASS, South Carolina Field Office. This year’s harvested acreage projection is down 7 percent from last summer’s 7,000 acres. Fresh market producers plan to harvest 1,100 acres of cantaloups unchanged from last year’s acreage.

U. S. FRESH VEGETABLES HARVESTED ACREAGE UP SLIGHTLY

The prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh market vegetables during the summer quarter is forecast to be 305,400 acres, up less than 1 percent from last year. Acreage increases in celery, broccoli, sweet corn, bell peppers, tomatoes, snap beans, and carrots more than offset acreage decreases in head lettuce, cauliflower, cucumbers, and cabbage. Area forecast for melon harvest is 110,100 acres, down 2 percent from last year. Cantaloup area is forecast at 41,200 acres, 5 percent below 2004. Honeydew area, at 14,800 acres, is up 7 percent from last year. Watermelon area, at 54,100 acres, is 3 percent below a year ago.

S. C. CUCUMBERS FOR PICKLES ACREAGE UP

SOUTH CAROLINA’S producers have planted or expect to plant 4,300 contract acres of cucumbers for pickles, up 8 percent from last year’s 4,000 acres.

PROCESSED VEGETABLE CONTRACTED ACREAGE DOWN SLIGHTLY

Vegetable processors have contracted 1.22 million acres to be planted to the 5 major vegetable crops (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers for pickles, green peas, and tomatoes). This acreage is down less than 1 percent from last year for comparable States. Acreage increases for cucumbers for pickles, sweet corn, snap beans, and green peas were more than offset by a decrease in tomatoes from last year's comparable States. Green pea contracted production, at 394,070 tons, is down 3 percent from 2004. Contracted tomato production is forecast at 11.0 million tons, down 8 percent from 2004 for comparable States.

For additional information call:

              Robert A. Graham, Director

              Stan Cheek, Agricultural Statistician