CDFA RELEASES CROP PRODUCTION FORECAST FOR DECEMBER

SACRAMENTO, December 13, 2001- The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Agricultural Statistics Service has released the crop production forecast for December.

Cotton–The Upland cotton production forecast is 1.85 million bales as of December 1, down 5% from the November forecast and 16% below last year. Harvested acreage of 655,000 resulted in a yield of 1,356 pounds per acre. American Pima cotton production is forecast at 570,000 bales, up 2% from last month and 65% above last year. Harvested acreage remains at 209,000 resulting in a yield of 1,309 pounds per acre. Harvest was mostly complete by December 1, with the exception of a few counties in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. Rain in late November and early December did delay harvest in some locations and caused some damage to quality, but yields were not affected significantly.

Dry Edible Beans–Dry edible bean production is estimated to be 1.60 million cwt., 22% below last year. Harvested acreage totaled 89,000, 21% below last year. The overall yield was 1,800 pounds per acre, down 2% from last year.

California’s Agricultural Statistics Service operates under a cooperative agreement between CDFA and the United States Department of Agriculture. Production forecasts are released on a monthly basis and do not reflect final production estimates. Late summer and fall harvests may change these estimates considerably. The next production forecast will be issued January 11, 2002.


-30-

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.