CDFA RELEASES CROP PRODUCTION FORECAST FOR JULY

SACRAMENTO, July 13, 2001 - Today the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Agricultural Statistics Service released its crop production forecast for July.

Grapes - California grape production is forecast at 6.30 million tons, down 10percent from last year. Specifically, wine grape production is estimated at a record 3.40 million tons, up 1percent from last season’s crop. The expected table grape production is 800,000 tons, up percent from 2000, while the raisin grape production is forecast at 2.10 million tons, down 27 percent from last year.

Almonds - Almond production is forecast at a record 850 million meat pounds, up 21 percent from last year's crop. The average nut set per tree is up 26 percent from 2000. Bearing acreage is estimated at 525,000, an increase of 5 percent from 2000.

Apricots - Apricot production is forecast at 75,000 tons. This is down 21 percent from the June 2001 forecast and down 18 percent from last year’s crop. Harvest is active at this time. High temperatures during May and June have been extremely detrimental to fruit size and overall production.

Peaches - The Freestone peach crop is forecast at 390,000 tons, down 1percent from 2000. The California Clingstone peach crop is forecast at 525,000 tons, down 1percent from last year.

Grapefruit – The grapefruit forecast is 13.0 million cartons, down 7 percent from the 1999-00 production.

Lemons - The 2000-01 California lemon forecast is 44.0 million cartons, up 12 percent from the 1999-00 production of 39.2 million cartons.

Oranges - The 2000-01 California Navel orange forecast is 68.0 million cartons, down 15 percent from the 1999-00 production. The Valencia orange forecast is 46.0 million cartons, down 4 percent from last season.

Other Crops - Barley production has increased an estimated 28percent to 176,880 tons. Oat production is forecast at 28,000 tons, down 7 percent from 2000. Winter wheat production is expected to be 798,000 tons, up 9 percent from 2000. Durum wheat production is 247,860 tons, 15 percent below 2000.

The California Agricultural Statistics Service operates under a cooperative agreement between CDFA and USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This joint service prepares and distributes statistics on California agriculture. The next production report will be issued August 10, 2001.


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FLEX YOUR POWER. To meet California’s energy challenge, CDFA urges businesses and consumers to conserve. For a list of simple ways that you can reduce demand and cut your energy costs, see our Web site @www.cdfa.ca.gov.