CDFA RELEASES CROP PRODUCTION FORECAST FOR JULY

SACRAMENTO, July 12, 2002 - The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) California Agricultural Statistics Service has released the crop production forecast for July.

Grapes - California grape production is forecast at 6.62 million tons, up 11% from last year. Specifically, the wine grape production is estimated at 3.30 million tons, up 8% from last season’s crop. The expected table grape production is 770,000 tons, up 8% from 2001, while the raisin grape production is forecast at 2.55 million tons, up 16% from last year. Mild May temperatures helped the crop get off to an excellent start. A good bloom occurred, resulting in a large number of bunches being reported. Size, color and quality are expected to be very good.

Almonds - California's almond production is forecast at a record 980 million pounds, up 18% from last year's crop. The average nut set is up 21% from 2001. Bearing acreage is estimated at 530,000, an increase of nearly 1% from 2001.

Apricots - California’s apricot production is forecast at 85,000 tons. This is up 13% from the June 2002 forecast and up 10% from last year’s crop. Due to earlier cooler temperatures, apricot harvesting has been pushed back this year, allowing the fruit to grow larger resulting in a higher yield. The crop appears to be of excellent quality, maybe the best ever.

Peaches - The 2002 California Freestone peach crop is forecast at a record 415,000 tons, unchanged from the June 2002 forecast, but up 7% from the 2001 crop. The Freestone harvest is progressing well with approximately 30 percent of the harvest completed by the end of June. The California Clingstone peach crop is forecast at 525,000 tons, unchanged from the June 2002 forecast, but up 10% from last year. The Clingstone harvest began during the middle of June with excellent quality reported.

Grapefruit - The 2001-02 California grapefruit forecast is estimated at 12.8 million cartons, down 2% from the 2000-01 production. Harvest is in full swing in the summer producing areas of Riverside County. Sizes are reported to be large with very good quality.

Lemons - The 2001-02 California lemon forecast is 44.0 million cartons, down 3% from the 2000-01 production. Fruit quality and color are reported to be in good condition. Harvest continued in the southern coastal region.

Oranges - The 2001-02 California Navel orange forecast is 64.0 million cartons, down 11% from the 2000-01 production. The Navel harvest has ended for the season. Fruit size was reported to be better than in previous seasons, with larger sizes in abundance. The Valencia orange forecast is 44.0 million cartons, up 5% from last season. Valencia fruit quality is generally good, with no major problems reported so far.

Other Crops - Barley production is forecast at 118,800 tons, down 15% from the previous year. Oat production is forecast at 33,600 tons, up 133% from 2001. Winter wheat production is expected to be 744,000 tons, down 7% from 2001. Durum wheat production is 270,000 tons, 6% above 2001.

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 12, 2002.

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