USA: Melon area is expected to rise 1%

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Regards, David


Arizona is the top melon producer during the fall

Spurred by relatively favorable wholesale prices last summer, melon area is expected to rise 1 percent this fall to 15,600 acres. Although cantaloup area is expected to remain steady, honeydew area is expected to rise 6 percent.
Weather in California and Arizona has been favorable and melon yield and quality is expected to be good this fall. Arizona is the top melon producer during the fall, harvesting about two-thirds of the acreage devoted to these crops.

Fall season fresh market melons 2008

Fall cantaloup area for harvest is forecast at 12,100 acres, unchanged from 2007. Arizona’s harvest began the third week of September. In California, ideal temperatures benefitted the melon crop and no major insect or disease problems have been reported.
Fresh market area for fall honeydew harvest is forecast at 3,500 acres, up 6 percent from last year. Arizona’s harvest of fall season honeydews began the third week of September. California’s fall melon crop is progressing well due to ideal temperatures and no major insect or disease problems have been reported.

Fall season fresh market melon area

USDA - December 2008