Monthly Hawaii Vegetable Report 08-13-09

Click Here for the PDF for the Monthly Hawaii Vegetable Report.

Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/

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Contact Information:
Mark E. Hudson, Director
USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512

Office: (808) 973-9588 / (800) 804-9514
Fax: (808) 973-2909
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“MONTHLY HAWAII VEGETABLE” reports are available on our website and also PRINTED monthly. Subscriptions for PRINTED copies are free to those persons who report agricultural data to NASS (upon request) and available for $4 per year to all others.

 

Chinese cabbage production totaled an estimated 344,000 pounds in June 2009, a decrease of 34 percent and 28 percent from May 2009 and June 2008, respectively. Fewer acreage for harvest along with lower yields accounted for the drop in production from a month earlier and a year ago. Spraying was necessary to help maintain control of insect infestation. Although temperatures were warm, the crop was still rated in fair to good condition.

Head cabbage growers harvested 945,000 pounds during June 2009, an increase of 1 percent and 27 percent from the previous month and a year earlier, respectively. The slight increase in production from May was the result of more acreage for harvest offsetting the drop in yield. Better yields along with an increase in acreage for harvest accounted for the higher production from a June 2008. Crop condition was rated fair to good.

Sweet corn production totaled 253,000 pounds in June, 16 percent lower than May 2009, but 16 percent higher than June 2008. The drop in production from May was the result of less acreage available for harvest, while the increase in production from June a year earlier was because of more acreage for harvest. Crop condition was rated fair to good.

Cucumber producers harvested 434,000 pounds in June 2009, a decrease of 7 percent and 15 percent from May 2009 and June 2008, respectively. Lower yields accounted for the decrease in production from both months as the acreage available for harvest was unchanged. The crop was in fair to good condition.

Dry Onions marketings totaled 154,000 pounds for June 2009, a decrease of 49 percent and 33 percent from May 2009 and June 2008, respectively. The crop was in fair to good condition.

Green Onions production was estimated at 125,000 pounds, an increase of 15 percent and 8 percent from May a month earlier and June a year ago, respectively. The crop was rated to be in fair to good condition.

The Monthly Hawaii Vegetable Report

Here is the PDF file for the *Monthly* *Hawaii Vegetable* Report.

monveg082207.pdf

Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/

USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512
1-800- 804-9514

Drought-like Conditions Along Leeward Sectors

The month of July continued to experience very warm, sunny conditions. Trade winds persisted mostly at moderate levels during the month. The passing of a weak shear line between July 14 and 16 only intensified these trades. The trade winds were momentarily interrupted with the passing of Tropical Depression Cosme on July 20 and 21. These trade winds provided near to above normal rainfall totals to many windward sectors of the State. Tropical Depression Cosme, on the other hand, provided increased precipitation to the east and southeastern sectors of the Big Island. In general, leeward sectors of all islands continued dry and under drought conditions. This ongoing dry spell along leeward areas has resulted in mandatory water restrictions for agricultural or residential areas of the Waimanalo area of Oahu, upcountry of Maui, and the Hamakua and South Kohala districts of the Big Island. Although some crops have benefited from the hot, dry weather during July, many other crops have suffered; as a result, crop condition was rated only fair.

The expected vegetable acreage for harvest in August when compared with acreage harvested in July was lower for 7 crops, higher for 2 crops, and unchanged for 2 crops. An increase in acreage for harvest is expected from snap beans (+10%) and sweet corn (+61%). A decrease in the acreage for harvest is expected for Chinese cabbage (-8%), head cabbage (-28%), mustard cabbage (-11%), cucumbers (-11%), dry onions (-42%), and romaine (-22%), while the expected acreage for harvest were unchanged for head lettuce, semi-head lettuce.

July Review

Tomato Production Below Year Ago

Chinese cabbage production total 514,000 pounds during July 2007. This was 12 percent below June 2007, but 28 percent above July 2006. The increase in production from a year ago resulted from an increase in yields and acreage for harvest. Crop conditions on the island of Hawaii were mixed as heavy irrigation was necessary to offset the windy, dry, and very warm conditions. Some farmers experienced heat rot losses.

Head cabbage producers produced an estimated 945,000 pounds in July. This was 11 percent and 1 percent below the previous month and a year ago, respectively. The decrease in production was the result of fewer acres available for harvest. Crop yield was below a month earlier, but better than the previous year. When possible, heavy irrigation was necessary to offset the very warm, dry conditions and to keep the crop in fair condition. Insect infestations were becoming a problem in some fields along with the production of smaller and lighter heads.

Cucumbers growers harvested an estimated 438,000 pounds in July. This was 14 percent and 20 percent below June 2007 and July 2006, respectively. The decline in production resulted from lower yields which was the result of the moderate winds and dry conditions.

Tomato growers produced an estimated 1.3 million pounds in July. This was 13 percent and 22 percent below June 2007 and July 2006, respectively. Although the very warm, dry conditions during July helped to maintain the tomato crop in fair to good condition, the decrease in production from the previous month can be attributed to lower yields.