Production for Top Five Fresh Vegetables Increased 2%

Clint ThompsonUSDA

The production of the top five fresh vegetables, not including potatoes, increased 2% from the prior season, though the national supply of fresh-market vegetables dropped by 1.2% in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report. The production increase was instigated by expansions in planted acreage, improved weather conditions and increased yields. Increases …

USDA Proposes Revising Section 8e Import Inspection Fee Structure for Fresh Fruits, Vegetables

Clint ThompsonUSDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing revisions to the regulations governing the inspection and certification of fresh fruits, vegetables and other products. These proposed changes include a per-pound fee structure for certain Section 8e import inspections; a minimum fee equivalent to a 2-hour charge computed at the current established hourly rate, whichever is greater; …

Vegetable Farms’ Earnings Surge By 82%

Clint ThompsonUSDA, Vegetables

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report, data from the 2022 Census of Agriculture showed a significant shift in the agricultural landscape. Though the total number of vegetable and melon farms reduced, real sales per operation experienced a surge of 82%, climbing from an average of approximately $280,000 in 2017 to more than …

Snail’s Pace: Impact Being Seen in Georgia Vegetables

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Snails are already impacting citrus in Florida. Georgia vegetables experts are concerned their crops could be next. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, talked about the dangers that snails pose to all vegetable crops in South Georgia. “It’s a growing concern, absolutely,” Sparks said. “We’ve got some in the squash fields over in …

Vegetable Consumption Dropped in 2023

Clint ThompsonVegetables

Vegetable consumption dipped in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) Situation and Outlook Report. USDA ERS data indicated that the domestic availability (proxy for consumption) was 155.4 million pounds, a 2.2% decrease from availability in 2022. Per capita availability of lettuce actually increased by 3% to 31.5 pounds in 2023, though there were …

Georgia Blueberry, Vegetable Growers Vote to Extend Assessments

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Atlanta, GA – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced in April that Georgia blueberry growers voted to extend the $5 per ton assessment on marketed blueberries for an additional three years. The balloting was conducted from March 1 to March 30, 2024, and the extension passed with 71% voting in favor. Georgia Growers marketing 2,000 pounds or more of blueberries …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Tracking Progress of Region’s Fruits, Vegetables

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Clint Thompson Sweet Corn Picks Up After Slow Start Florida sweet corn volume was expected to ramp up during the first couple of weeks in April. The increased production was needed for growers who experienced a sluggish start to the season, mostly due to excessive rainfall. The record rainfall kept growers from being able to access the field for …

Vegetable Prices Drop in 2023, Rebound in Early 2024

Clint ThompsonVegetables

Vegetable producers experienced a drop in market prices in 2023, though they rebounded during the early months of 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report. The domestic annual vegetable price index, computed by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, dropped 11% from the highs of 2022. The decrease was attributed to …

Staying on Top of Nematodes in Vegetables

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Frank Giles Nematodes can be a hidden yield robber. The soilborne pests can pack a pretty powerful punch despite their puny size. Nematodes have been problematic in Southeast vegetable crops for many years. Their management was complicated by the phaseout of methyl bromide. In 2018, the University of Georgia surveyed fields in 30 Georgia counties to measure the pest. …

Threat to Vegetables: UF/IFAS Experts Provide Tips to Manage Eastern Lubber Grasshopper

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Eastern lubber grasshoppers are out in force throughout the Southeast, including some parts of Florida. They’re munching on landscape plants, citrus and vegetable crops, while gardeners and growers are trying to minimize the damage. These insects can be found from March to April to about October to November in North Florida and the state’s Gulf Coast. They can be economically …