CDFA RELEASES CROP PRODUCTION FORECAST FOR JANUARY

SACRAMENTO, January 15, 2002- The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Agricultural Statistics Service today released the crop production forecast for January. The latest survey, which was conducted during December 2001 and the first week of January 2002, includes the following commodities:

Cotton - American Pima harvested acreage is estimated at 229,000 acres. Production is set at 620,000 bales, and is a 9 percent increase from the December 1 forecast. The resulting yield is 1,300 lbs. per acre. Upland harvested acreage is set at 635,000 acres. Production is set at 1.80 million bales, a 3 percent decrease from the December 1 forecast. The resulting yield is 1,361 lbs. per acre, up slightly from December. Planting started in the San Joaquin Valley in mid-March, but cool and wet weather in March and early April caused a large amount of acreage to be replanted. Cotton acreage was also seriously decreased due to a questionable water supply combined with high energy costs. Warm weather during the summer helped cotton rebound and insect pressure from most pests has remained at manageable levels, although aphids and whiteflies were beginning to affect quality in some areas. Rain in late November and early December did delay harvest in some locations and cause some damage to quality, but yields were not affected significantly.

Oranges - The 2001�02 California Navel orange forecast is 64.0 million cartons, unchanged from October, but 11 percent below last season's crop. Harvest of the Navel orange crop is continuing with approximately 20 percent of the crop harvested by January 1. Late in 2001, cool evening temperatures helped with fruit coloration. Fruit sizes are reported to be greater than last year, and may be the largest on record since the 1984�85 season. The 2001-02 Valencia orange forecast is 44.0 million cartons, unchanged from October, but 4 percent below last season’s crop.

Lemons - The 2001�02 California lemon forecast is 44.0 million cartons, down 4 percent from October and 3 percent below last year. The season is progressing with no major problems to date. Harvest is active in the desert and the Central Valley with very good quality reported.

Tangerines - The 2001�02 California tangerine crop is forecast at 4.60 million cartons, down 8 percent from October, but up 10 percent from last year. Harvest of Satsumas is nearly done, while harvest of Mineolas and Fairchilds remain active. Harvest of Mandarins is expected to begin in February. Fruit size is reported as larger than normal. Quality is also reported to be very good.

Grapefruit - The 2001�02 California grapefruit forecast is estimated at 12.4 million cartons, up 3 percent from October, but down 5 percent from last year. Pummelo and Oroblanco grapefruit harvests are active in the desert with overall quality reported as very good.

California’s Agricultural Statistics Service operates under a cooperative agreement between CDFA and the Unites States Department of Agriculture. Production forecasts are released on a monthly basis and do not reflect final production estimates. The next production forecast will be issued February 8, 2002.


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