SOUTH CAROLINA SPRING VEGETABLE ACREAGE VARIES

Columbia, S.C., April 08, 2005: In SOUTH CAROLINA, the spring acreage of fresh market cucumbers is expected to total 1,000 acres, unchanged from last year, according to the USDA NASS, South Carolina Statistical Office. Spring acreage of fresh market tomatoes is 3,100 acres, down from 3,500 acres (11 percent) last year.

South Carolina growers have contracted to grow 4,300 acres of cucumbers for pickles, up from 4,000 acres (8 percent) in 2004.

UNITED STATES SPRING VEGETABLE ACREAGE DOWN 5 PERCENT

The prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh market vegetables during the spring quarter is forecast at 214,100 acres, down 5 percent from last year. Acreage decreases for snap beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, head lettuce, and tomatoes more than offset acreage increases for carrots, sweet corn, and bell peppers. Melon acreage for spring harvest is forecast at 79,100 acres, down 1 percent from last year. Watermelon acreage is up 3 percent from 2004. Cantaloup acreage is down 4 percent from a year ago. Honeydew melon acreage is down 13 percent. Asparagus acreage for spring harvest is forecast at 49,500 acres, down 6 percent from last year. Strawberry acreage for harvest is forecast at 43,700 acres, up 2 percent for comparable States in 2004.

UNITED STATES PROCESSED VEGETABLE ACREAGE DOWN 1 PERCENT

Processors expect to contract 1.21 million acres of the 5 major processed vegetable crops in the U.S. this year, down 1 percent from last year. Contracted acreage decreases are forecast for tomatoes, snap beans, and sweet corn, while cucumbers for pickles and green peas show increases. Freezing firms expect to contract virtually the same acreage as last year, with 383,600 acres under contract. Acreage for both snap beans and green peas is up 2 percent. Sweet corn acreage for freezing is down 2 percent from last year. Canneries contracted for 829,500 acres, down 2 percent from 2004. Acreage increased for cucumbers for pickles, green peas, and sweet corn, up 15, 13, and less than 1 percent, respectively, while acreage decreased for tomatoes and snap beans, down 9 and 7 percent, respectively.

For additional information call:    Robert A. Graham, State Statistician

                                                        Stan Cheek, Agricultural Statistician