MARKETING TEXAS MELONS
FEDERAL — STATE MARKET NEWS SERVICE 987 SEASO
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE MARKET NEWS BRANCH MARKETING DIVISION FRUm AND VEGETABLE DIVISION TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 1231 E. Hackberry, McAllen, Texas 78501 PREFACE Inforiâtion on the iarketing pf the IW Heion crop in Tsxa-s is suiisrized in this publication. This publication is provided for its histcrical perspEctive. Bhipients, shipping point prices, production and disiribution data are prisiaril y a " review of the inforsation carried in Vne daily market reports which were issued on cantaloups ànû hone/dens bv the Fedtderal- State ^nàîkËi News Service in HcAllen, Texas froi Hay Eè, i987 through June 15, 1987. AH inforeation on Texas naterselons was carried by the IMnter Park Florida Harket Hens Office fro? ^?Y 1, \W thmu-nh Jane 5, 1987 ev^ú the Thostasville, 5A MM Mei^s Office fros June B, 1987 through Jalv 15, 19S7. Dailv inforn/ition on Texas yaternslons can be OQtainsd by Hritino the Austin Ti Harket KB^S Office at P. 0= Box 1ES^7, Caoitcl StraHnr. Ai^^tin. lï 7S711 (Froneî 518-463-7623), \\\B TfiOiasvilíe office àï ?. ö. BOîî IW, Thosasville, 6A 31799 (Piionei 91P-EEe-ie08) o^ tie yinter Park Office at P. Q. Box 1H3, Hinter ^-ark, FL 3H970 (Phone; 305-628-8636). " So/rie of the information in this oiiblicaticn is D-eliíiinary and subject to revision. Price adjustsents, if ^}iúe sfter shipments, ¿re not shown in this suiijirary. Prices shcivn ITS for stocks of qe'erally cuod öüaütv and condition.
Ev2rv e^^ort nas been niade to include data in this su^i^â^ary î«hicn ï^iSll be of the inost value to the >P5 D U s Î ^ V t have sndeavjred to include basic statistics for coiUparison i^ith'past seasjns. Preparation áV^ú publication of this suiisary was by Arthur P. Huchos, Jr., The USDA Local Renresentative and Yolv Trevmo L-f^-the H-Allen Federal-Etate Harret Nens Office, and Ann Vargas and Bary Hiller of the Austin Federal-State Hsrket Neîvs IfMTH.
The cooperation of the grosfers, shippers and buyers in these areas has been iost gratifying, ye àrs also crateful to all sef'bers of the felon industry and related agencies for their fine cooperation in iiiaKing the susiiiary possible.' Special thanks go to the folloifing for tiieir contributions and assistance;
Padio Stations KURV ñü'í KEEl, e-.¿ Charlie Rankin, ' in Edirburq i=^hc Drcvided fo Zl^SíV '"S í!"krt nsHs recorta.
The South Texas Helon C^^í^^'tte^ in ypslac^^- The E^S í^oü R^portinq Board m Auatin Texas ?~d rashraton. r.r,
Tne Fruit Í Vegetable Inspection Service in San Juan, who âd?^inister the Rose S'jaticns à^,u provide tinjelv inforsiation or 'Truck Shipsents frcá the LoNsr Rij Brande valley.
The National ^eather Service in BrownsvillS: Texas.
KVOl-Uvalde, KEEH-Carnzo Sorinqs for their tiinely releases of-.f n^ri-y^ h-z -Dr-rf=
yptiß ¡1 î^ersford cVtz KKYN in ^'ainview f^r th^íf ti^i^lv 3r r-íH-i-.-H rrcrr
Additional sa/üsiarics iri-ad n- .= t any ^^ r.h offices listed bút^ at a change of 16.00 DE i^i ;;•» - ir ^ per 3*0 iidiled at a zh.è^Q^ of IB.DO per cooy fren- anv of the offices listed belo^. -¡renn c : ? - c r " t hp-r ei^cludino Canada and He.;ic nuit couble fees tor sailed reoorts. Additional cooies of susiEsry are available upon recuest froiB the followinc officssî i-ederal-State ¡larket Neivs Texas I-eot. 0"^ A^'^i OSDA HO Harketi-o Ser ÍE31 East Hackbe^ry Federa]-Bta"e harket News Firv Division HNE' HcAilen, Texas 7S5Ö1 ¿DUO ^r.H^h PHn Phi 51E-6EE-E581 Capitol Station p. D. Box 96455 Austin, Texas 7S711 yashinaton. D.C. E0090-6456 Phî 512-463-7683 Phi 202-447-2745
Releassj April: lYSS-HcAllenr T^ lâtLt IF COM IINî S
PASE
Harketing ^^-úET Boundaries (HAP) ..=...,...... ,,....,....,...... ,.....,...... 1 Handl:ng Regulations...... x. E - 3 Í-Bí Linn-Ten Early Helor Deí^onstrítion SL!^:?»i§3ry.. c. z .>>«...... >.•>..>..<.<..>>...... >.>>...<..« c.,.-.. ^ <.. ...t...... ^ -• 5 Final Helen ^'Creage Regietration (Planted A-reage 1996)...... t.i....,x.x..,,.,..r...,....x.t,.....t...... ,...,x....x. é
South Texas Helon Araa Cli^iate (April 1935-narch 19O¿)X... = ..,..... = .x, = «w.,:.....xxx«:....r...,.....:..: = = ...,...,.. " CAMTALOÜPS Narrât i ve...,.,...... ,..,.,,.,...t t...... :,....t.,*...... x »...... i,, 8 Harvested Acreage I Seasonal Hovejient (Sraphs) 1985...... x...... x...... »,.....,..,.x...... 9 weekly Shipfients (Nationwide)..x x....x...... , 10 ^'roductioM Cnartsî Acreaqe bv Coonty 19S5-1^0é...... x.x.^.x....::.,..x,..:...,x,,.:..,. ,..:,, = .:,,,.. = = ,: : i\ Daily F.O.B. Prices (Loner Ric Brande Vâllev),...... ^...,...... ,^...... «.z.x»..x...... x.. It Honöav's RholeHale Prices in Hajor üxS. Cities.::.....x.:.x..x..xr.....»t.....xx.:. ...s.. x.r = .:. ,x,...... ,. 19 San Antonio - ifintsr Barden Area
Narrât 1vSx x x.....x:...,.x...... x...... x... x,...... U Trans-PecDS (Presidio L Pecos) I Hereford - High Pîair^s Arsa
N 5 r r a V i Ve : . : ...... X . . . , . , 1 : . , . . . , . . , r , . . . . , X X . X Î . . . . t . X X . X . . . : X X , : . , x . . . , , , . . . X x . . . . r X X x • • . . . X . . x . . X - X X . X . 1 ^
Uarycrtvii Arr^A^"'? ?. vsacfti-i.q •: H^':V?j5?!i~ (i"-^a'h'-i) ^'^P'^- s ■ . ... . ='^
yeek 1V Bhio^ents ( nat ion^ií i de )...... x. x .,., =,.,,,....,,., x..... x.... x...... x =... x.,...,.,., x. x... IS
Production Charts: Acreage By County 19B5-19SDX...... X....X...... X...... X...X..X ...... ,X.. X . : X .... 19 Daily F.G.Bx Frires (Lower Rio arenas Valley)...... x..x..x.x...... ,,.x...... x.,.....x...x....,x.. 2C rlcnda/'s 'Wholesale Prices in Hajor OxS. Cities...... x.,...... x.x..:...xx.,x..,..x...xxx.x....x. = ...x :.. x.. El-Ec yATERHELONS Narrât i ve...... ,...... ,...... ,...,,.,.,,...,,...... ,,,,.,,...... ,.,.,,,.._. 23-E^ Harvested Acreage l Seasonal Hoveient (Sraphs) 19S5...x.....,.,.....,...,.....,....,..x,x...... x 25 Meekly Bnipsents (Nationi^ide 1986-1987)...,.. x...... 26 Production Charts: Acreage by County 1905-1986.....x..x....x..x...... x...... , E7-cB Daily FxO.B. Prices (Statewide) by Varietyx,..,.....xx...... x....x...... x.x.....xx..x...,x.,.x...xx, E9 Monday's Hnolesale Prices in riaior 0.3, Cities. ..x...... x..... SO South Texas relon Harketing Policy (1983 Season)....x...... x...... 31-¿tE MELON MARKETING ORDER BOUNDARIES
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!* BrownsviTi COURTESY: SOUTH TEXAS MELON COMMITTEE (I) HELONS BROÏN IN SOÜIH IEXÄS HANDLIIS REBlLATiai Section 979.42 Rate of assessaent. An âssessfient rate of $ .02 cents per carton «ill be assessed froi Hay 1, 1987 through June 30, 1987. Section 979.304 Handling regulation. During the period beginning Hay 1 and endinq June 30 each season no person shall handle cantaloupe or honeydew selons unless they ieet the requireient of paragraphs (a) through (c), (d) or (e) and (f) of this section. (a) Grade requirements. (1) Cantaloups shall be U.S. CoMercial grade or better, except that not sore than 8 percent serious daaage including not iore than 5 percent decay shall be periitted. {S) Individual packages lay contain not aore than double the specified lot tolerance. {3) At least 50 percent of the honeydew ielons in any lot shall seet the requireients of U.S. Cossiercial grade except that not iore than 20 percent serious daiage shall be allowed including not «ore than 10 percent for iselons affected by decay. In addition, tne coibined juice froa the edible portion of a saniple of honeyde« ielons selected a randon shall contain not less than 8 percent soluble solids as determined by an approved hand refractoseter. Individual cartons shall contain not less than 25 percent U.S. Coiiercial or better quality. (4) Black surface discoloration shall not be considered as a grade defect with respect to such grade. (b) Container requireients. (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(4), (d) or (e) and (f) of this section all cantaloups shall be packed in fiberboard cartons with inside diiensions of not more than 17 1/4 nor less than le 3/4 inches in length, nor »ore than 13 nor less than 12 3/4 inches in «idth, and not aore than iö 3/8 nor less than 9 3/4 inches in'depth. All honeyde« selons shall be packed in fiberboard cartons with inside dimensions of 17 inches lonq by 15 1/4 inches Hide and not iore than 7 1/2 inches nor less than 6 1/E inches deep. A tolerance of 1/4 inch "for each disensión shall be periitted. (2) Each carton shall be iarked to indicate the count; the ñaue, address, and zip code of the shipper; the naae of the product; and the mrús "Produce of U.S.A." or "Product of U.S.A.". (3) If the carton in «hieb the ielons are packed is not clean and bricht in appearance without siarks, stains, or other evidence of previous use, the cartons shall be conspicuously iâriced with the words "USED BOX* in letters not less than three-fourths (3/4) inch high. (4) Honeydew ielons iay be pàckea in bulk containers of 48 inches long by 40 inches wide by 24 inches úee^ or siailar diiensions. (5) These container requireients shall not be applicable to selons sold to Federal agencies. (c) Inspection. (1) No handler lay handle any aelons regulated hereunder, except pursuant to paragraphs (d) or (e), and (f) of this section, unless an inspection certificate has been issued covering the« and the certificate is valid at the tiae of shipient. City and State destinations shall be listed on inspection certificates and release forms. (2) No handler say transoort by iotor vehicle or cause such transportation of any shipient of aelons for which an inspection certificate is required unless each such shipsent is accoapanied fay a copy of the inspection certificate applicable thereto or by documentary evidence on foris furnished by tne coiaiittee identifying truck lots to which a valid inspection certificate or coiaittee docusent shall be surrendered upon request to authorities designated by the coasittee. (3) For purposes of operation under this part each inspection certificate or cofisittee forf. required as evidence of inspection is hereby detersined to be valid for a period not to exceed 72 hours following coapletion of inspection as shown on the certificate. COURTESY: SOUTH TEXAS MELON COMMITTEE (4) Designated inspection stations will be located at the Texas Federal Inspection Service office, 1301 W. Expressway, Alato (Phone (512) 7B7-W1 or 787-6881) and the Hatt Dietz Packing Co., 4700 N. Santa Haria. Laredo (Phone (512) 723-9178 or 723-9170), to be available for handlers «ho do not have perianent packing facilities recognized by the coiaittee. (5) Handlers shall pay assessaents on all assessable eelons according to the provisions of Section 979.42. id) Hinifiuii quantity exeiption. Any handler lay handle, other than for resale, up to, but not to exceed 120 pounds net «eight of melons per day without repard to the provisions of Sections 979.4Ê, 979.52, 979.60, and 979.30, but this exeiption shall not apply to any shipsent or any portion thereof of over 120 pounds of lelons. (e) Special purpose shipioents. (1) The requireaents of paragraphs ¡a) throuqh (c) of this section shall not apply to shipients for charity, relief, canning and freezing if a handler presents a Certificate of Privilege for sucn ielons prior to handling the« in "accordance »ith Section 979.155. (2) Helons failing to teet the requiresents of paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section and not exespt under paragraphs (d) or (e). and all melons Discarded froia the grading table shall either be aechanically spiked or autilated or handled for special purpose outlets in accordance with Section 979.152. (3) upon approval of the cosisittee, shipients of honeydew ielons «ay be aiade in pony cartons havinq diaensions of 17 inches long by 14 1/2 inches wide by 5 5/S inches deep. Container requiresents of paragraph (b) of fhis section shall not apply, but such shipments shall seet all other applicable requireients of this section. (H) The handling to any person of qift packages of iselons not exceeding 25 pounds per package^ individually addressed to such person and not for resale, is exempted frois the container requiresents of paragraph (b/ of this section, but shall feet all assesssent requireisents of V79.42 and the grade and inspection requirements of paragraphs (a) and (c) respectively of this section. (f) Safeguards. Each handler taking shipients of selons for relief, charity, canning or freezing under paragraph (e) of this section shall; (1) Notify the coiiittee of the intent to ship ielons under paragraph (e) of this section by applying on foris furnished by the cosiittee for a Certificate of Privilege applicable to such special purpose shipisents. (2) Obtain an approved Certificate of Privilege. (3) Prepare on foriss furnished by the coiaittee a special purpose shipaent report for each individual shipaent. (4) Forward copies of the special purpose shipaent report to the coaaittee office and to the receiver with instructions to the receiver to sign and return a copy to the coasittee's office. Failure of the handler or receiver to report such shipients by proaptly signing and returninq he applicable special purpose shipaent report to the coaaitte office shall be cause for suspension of such handler's Certificate of Privilege applicable to such shipaents. (g) Definitions. "U. S. aelon standards" aean the united States Standards for Grades of Cantaloups (7 CFR 2851.475-2851.494c), or the united States Standards for Grades of Honey Dew and Honey nail Type Helons (7 CFR 2851.3740-2851.3749), whichever is applicable^ or variations thereof specified in this section. The ter« "Ü. S. Coaaercial" shall have the saae aeaning as set forth m these standards. All other teras used in this section shall have the saae aeaning as when used in Harketing Agreeaent No. 156 and this part. (Sec. 1-Î9, 48 Stat. 31. as atended; 7 Ü.S.C. 601-674) Dated 5 Hay 1987 to becoae effective Hay 8, 1987. /s/ Ronald L. Cioffi Deputy Director Fruit and Vegetable Division Agricultural Harketing Service COURTESY: SOUTH TEXAS MELON COMMITTEE 1986 Linn-Tex Early Melon Demonstration Summary Mark Smith County Extension Agent-Hort Tim Hartz Extension Vegetable Specialist Crenshaw, casaba, honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon were produced on a virgin sandy soil under an integrated drip irrigation/plastic mulch cultural system. This non-replicated demonstration was conducted on Linn- Tex Ranch in San Manuel with the cooperation of owner Enrique Guerra. Comparisons of various planting techniques (plug seeding, direct seeding, transplanting) on mulch or bare soil were done on plots of .05 to .15 acre. Plug seeding was done using approximately 40 cm^ of a Sunshine Mix/seed combination peir hole; the mix was blended to contain 3 seeds per 40 cm3. Transplants were 4 week old Speed!ing plants in 2 inch squares single seeded (watermelon) and 1 1/2 inch squares double seeded (cantaloupe and honeydew). The mulch was 1.5 mil embossed black polyethylene. Magnum 45 cantaloupe, TAM-Dew honeydew, Roy^l Charleston watermelon and Crenshaw Blaftco melons were plug seeded and direct seeded on January 27. Royal Charleston, Magnum 45 and TAM-Dew transplants. Five types of casaba melons were seeded on February 20. Approximate plant populations were 2200 per acre (watermelon) and 10,000 per acre (cantaloupe, honeydew and crenshaw). All plots were irrigated by a single drip irrigation line buried in the middle of each 80 inch bed. Plots were harvested from May 2 through May 27. Due to a large number of plots in the test and a serious weed problem in bare soil plots reliable harvest data is available only for selected comparisons. Magnum cantaloupe plug seeded through plastic yielded 490 boxes per acre compared with 410 cartons/a by direct seeding through mulch (Table !)• Average fruit size was slightly larger with plug seeding; there was little earliness advantage. Bare soil plots (plug and seeded combined) only produced 250 boxes/a, the yield depression undoubtedly due in large part to weed competition. Honeydew followed the same pattern with plug planting on mulch marginally increasing yield and earliness over direct seeding (Table 2). Fruit size distribution was virtually identical with the two seeding methods. Bare soil produced approximately 420 boxes/acre. Cantaloupe and honeydew transplants experienced severe transplanting shock when set in the field; they lost most of their leaves and by the time they recovered the earliness advantage had been lost. Considering the cost of transplanting at high plant populations, transplanting these crops appears to be an unsound practice. There were such a number of watermelon plots (multiple varieties, planting dates and planting techniques) that individual data collection was not possible. Averaged across all plots watermelons averaged more than 30,000 Ib/acre. Transplant Royal Charleston on mulch was the earliest treatment with more than 15,000 lb/acre cut on May 5. Seeded Jubilee yielded well by May 13. Several new hybrid varieties, notably Rebel Queen, MOX 1568 and PSX 26883 stood out in the variety trial.- Crenshaw melons, both plug and direct seeded, produced extremely vigorous vines and ej^cel lent fruit set. Despite high losses to sunburn (aggravated by inadequate mildew control) yield was approximately 800 boxes/acre on mulch. Fruit size was very good, peaking on 5's. Severe wind damage was sustained because the field was planted without windbreaks. Furthermore, pest control was only marginally effective because all spraying was done by hand. Even so, marketable yields achieved were considerably higher than the Valley-wide averages; the planting also gave earlier harvest than most commercial fields. Given this success despite these obstacles one would assume that subsequent plantings eojploying windbreaks, V^'Plsi^t fertilization, appropriate chemical and mechanical weed control and timely, effective pesticide applications would have high yield and profit potential. Table 1. Influence of seeding method on cantaloupe production on plastic mulch. •> Marketable Yield (boxes/acre) % total by size Treatment EarlyZ Total 27 23 18 15 and larger Plug 350 490 13 27 42 19 Seed 330 410 6 41 37 17 2To and including harvest of May 12. Table 2. Influence of seeding method on honeydew production on plastic mulch. Marketable Yield (boxes/acre) % total by size Treatment Earlyz Total 12 10 8 6 and larger Plug 500 800 24 29 30 18 Seed 450 750 23 32 31 15 zTo and including harvest of May 9. FINAL mm ACREAGE RtFCMIT In accDrdance with Harketinc order 979.50 all Cantaloups and HoneydeH selon acrsaje iust be regiâtered nith The South Texas nelon Cofjittee by a Handier or the Src^er if not recorted by a handler. This is the best sethDd to deteriine correct acrsaqa to íjuide the cooiittes in the issuance cf rules úT^ó régulations. RIO SRAHDE VALLEY l LAREDO 1937 IftLd mMß^ CANTALOüf^S HONEYDEyS TOTAL Fe^ruarv 3, 6,^93 1,6E7 8.1E0 FebPüarv l4, bMh 2,084 9.750 February E8. 3,215 l,8¿fi 5,15è Ha-ch H, ^ E,375 1,154 3,5E9 mrch E8, 3E3 580 90S !9,377 8,036 E7.H53 RIO SRANDE VALLEY l LAREDD Î9S5 mm CREAS H3:-ch 15, V.m 1,374 5l3E9 Bicn 31, CL^ IIP} 3 ¿läO 19,¿90 5s587 EH,877 RIO BRANDE VALLEY l LAREDO 1916 fiEUM AERE^ LANTALOüPS HOHEVüE^S TOTAL -ehruiTy 15, ^.5¿4 3,0E7 1E.591 H-.=-rh 1' A "A" Q ODA 19,277 7,42¡( 26,701 COURTESY: SOUTH TEXAS MELON COMMITTEE HARKETIliS TEXAS msim 1987 siñsm SOUTH TEXAS HaOH mñ ailSTE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, MOWTHLY RAINFALL AND TE>fBRATURES, 1986-Î987 MONTH RAINFALL (INCHES) TEWÜ^TURE (DEGREES F) AND YEAR TOTAL DEPARTURE AVERAGE DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL FROM NORMAL April 1986 .82 - .72 77.7 May 1986 4.19 +2 .5 +1.79 79.5 + .2 June 1986 3.16 + .28 83.7 + July 1986 .50 .8 -1.09 85.6 +1 .2 August 1986 .50 -1.07 85.6 Seotember 1986 1.99 + .9 -2.97 84.5 +2 .8 October 1986 2.88 - .17 76.5 November 1986 3.67 +1 .5 +2.23 66.3 - .5 -December 1986 3.93 +2.85 January 1987 2.44 58.5 -2 .5 +1.12 57.8 -1 .1 Februaury 1987 2.48 +1.22 62.8 +1 .0 March 1987 .69 + .05 64.0 -4 .5 Season •••••• 28.23 +3.52 73.5 + .2 *Average for all 10 reporting.stations. o « Reporting station COURTESY:AGRICULTURA'L STATISTICS SERVICE CAN!AL oy PS 19e7SEfôl^ HIGHLISHTSî This season there i^ere heavy losses in the Texas Cantaious crsp due to heavy rains during siost Df Hay. Froi^ Hay 5th to June i5th, the Valley had 5.86 inches of rain. Poor quality and lany lost fields resulted in this years' shipsents being less than" half Df tnoss shipped in i98¿. Estisates on prcouction and yield were not inüluded this season due to TSÚüLeó funding to the Crop Reporting Service in Austin. Texas. This season every effort was inade to keep shipment figures in this suisary as closely'a!iqned to those put out by the Soath Texs Helen Cosniittse as possible. Shiogients shown in "this süsiary are less than those cut'out by the South TexasHelon Cosiittse for cantaloups. The best possible explanation for the differences betiíeen these tno figures would be that the South Texas Helen Coifittee includes nielons used locally m the Lower Rio Srande Valley, This suseary only shoif5 shipients out of the Loafer Rio Srande Valley. The 127,453 cartons of cantaloups not included in this suiinary /nay hàvs hesn consumed iDcally in the Loiter Rio Brands Valley. PRODUCTION AND SHIPHEMTSî ^her^ nere ï^^l acres of cantaloups clanted ir the Lo^er RíO Brande Valley and Laredo durinq the Sjrmg of 1987. This cofica'es to 19,277 acres for the Bering of 1986 or a slight incraase in planted acreage. 75^ c^ tne Btites acreaae in cantalouos is in the Loner R:o Srande Valley. Production this season was much lower thai \iti di's to heavy rain in nay km lest acreage. Shipjsents cut of the Valley for the season in ^5,000 lb units were 2,030. This cos^pares to 4,980 last season or about a 60^ recrease this season. This first shipieents i^/ere "^^ week of Hay 23rd. Volun:=e continued to increase until ^2Ú. shicffisnts i^ere TB¿í\\2ú tne neek ending June ¿th «hen 863 loads «ere shipped. Shipients then started to drop and alaost all supplies i^ere gone by the end of June'. The last shipments «ere reported the i^eek' ending June 20th. LOCATÎON: Over 11% of the Texas cantaloups coie fros^ the Lower Rio Srande Valley (hidalgo County producing about 70" of the Vjilley's cantalouos). About 10^ of the state's cantaloups aV2 qroHn in the San Antonio yinter-Barden d'^i, Wh in the Tr^ns- Pecos area, and the other 5/v in various ¿ist^'icts tirouchout Texas. SROyiHS CöNBITIöMS AMD HARVESTINSî Ins season i^-ather conditions wer? very unfavcrabb for cantalouD growers. I' ^imiïs, rain in the western oart of the Vallev ? asneo out sonie 2tTV^ cantaloip fields. Cc:ld, wet t^eather in Harch thcivec cantiio-D cevírlcpfent» A late Harch frost resulted in sot^e lost B.i^'^èQî IT \m ^reas as fsanv bloo^Fs v^ere birn:. Ram du'ir:} sost of the íBonth of Hay resulted in lose* quality cantalouos being larvs^ted. Harvesting this season began about E neeks later than norf!;al. This resulted in the Texaa c^oo beino harvested at the s^ine tiie as the California Z'Ci^ij.. Low prices and rain during íne harvesting Kept this season froín being very profitable for R-ost growers. By June 20th sost cantaloup harvesting ms finished in the Lower Rio Srande Valley. Harvesting of South Texas cantaloups began in leid Hay and the season continued through ^id June. ?^^\: narveiting occurred the last Neek of Hay this season. PACKASmS AND HARKETIHSî Cantalouos are normally packed IM/2 Cîrtcns or crates. Each carton «siohs aorroxiiiatelv 40 tÏ9TT2U sizes by buyers. Since into a"^fe"t aevaral vea'"? aqo to help regulate quality. Quality standards are enforced through qraoe ano container requirenfer^ts and inspections. Cantaioups shall îBeet Ü.B. comercial grade or better exceot that rot fore th^n S percent aerious daiiiage including not fore than 5 percent decay shall be persitted. All pacKacing and ^sar^eting is regulated by the South Texas Helon Coii:nittee. To provide funds to adíüinister this proorais. soie fixed handler costs areVequired. This vear they Here 2 1/E centa/box for insoection. 1 1/2 cents/box for regulatory (Road Stations) and E cents/box ^^ài^v costs. This was an increase o-^ 1/2 cent fro/s the 198s season for íisisber costs. This year the Texas Fresh Proiotional Board coordinated all ierchandisinq of Texas iüelons. An increase in consulter demand has resulted froi recent industry strides in perfecting its selon varieties and iß^proving iîs pacnng procedurea. New Hybrid varieties such as Haqnui 45 ^x^ providing excellent quality in sweetness, density anc iicroved shelf life. Acreage of Hagnui 45 cantaloups increased again this season due to consuiîier de^aand. The first F.O.B. was reported on Hay 26th when 15 I 18 count cantaloups sold for $12.00-114.00. As vDluf 1 dot= 100 acres Dots indicate acres without respect to geographic location within the county. CANTALOUPS FRESH MARKET SEASONAL MOVEMENT 1/ Rail plus truck unloads in 22 cities by months 6000 19S4 1985 4500 c 3000 O O o O 1500 Fab. Mar. Apr. May Jun« July Aug. S«pt Oct Nov. _1/ Source: Market News Service, U.S.DA COURTESY:AGRI CULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE 9 CANTALOUPS WEEKLY CANTALOUP MOVEMENT INCLUDES RAIL, PIGGYBACK, TRUCK, AIR, BOAT, EXPORT & lifORT) 45,000 LB UNITS 1987 SEASON TEXAS LOWER WEEK RIO GRANDE SAN ANTONIO PRESIDIO HEREFORD AZ. CA. FL. GUATEMALA HONDURAS MEXICO TOTAL ENDING VALLEY WNTR GARDEN PECOS HI-PLAINS LAREDO May — - - 40 442 482 9 - - - 546 546 16 .- - - 60 392 452 23 82 - - - 323 3 213 621 30 773 - - 2 811 34 90 1711 June 6 863 - - 21 1622 48 28 40 2622 13 247 - - 192 2036 27 82 2584 20 65 1 - 628 1660 18 43 2415 27 - 19 - 741 1524 8 9 2304 July 4 - 31 3 545 1843 _ 2426 11 - 57 44 - 101 18 - 67 26 - 93 25 - 35 52 - 87 Auq. - - 123 _ 123 8 - - 106 - 106 15 - - 167 - 167 22 - - 130 - 130 31 150 150 TOTAL 2030 210 801 2129 9879 142 68 1857 17120 10 TEXAS CANTALOUPS FOR FRESH MARKET: ACREAGE, YIELD, PRODUCTION, PRICE AND VALUE, 1977-86 Acreage Yield Season average Production Value Year price per cwt. Planted Harvested per acre Acœs - Cwt 1,000 cwt. Dollars 1,000 dollars 13.52 27,321 1977. 17,800 17,200 118 2,021 9.87 22,566 1978. 22,700 21,300 107 2,286 2,108 13.80 29,088 1979. 19,000 18,100 116 2,027 16.78 34,003 1980. 17,200 16,300 124 18.95 37,123 1981. 16,700 14,800 132 1,959 2,381 15.45 36,795 1982. 23,900 21,100 113 16.60 39,378 1983. 21,000 19,000 125 2,376 12.70 39,965 1984. 20,000 18,000 175 3,154 13.30 44,688 1985. 22,000 21,000 160 3,360 3,520 14.30 50,336 1986, 24,000 22,000 160 TEXAS CANTALOUPS FOR FRESH MARKET: MONTHLY PRICES, 1977-86 Year Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Dollars per cwt, - 7.90 1977. 16.80 14.30 11.30 12.90 7.90 11.50 11.50 1978. 13.30 6.70 11.40 11.10 15.20 1979. 14.50 13.90 10.70 15.10 17.80 1980. 21.70 14.80 16.70 18.60 8.80 1981. 21.80 17.40 21.80 12.00 13.20 1982, 26.80 14.60 14.70 12.10 1983. 19.50 16.80 13.40 14.10 14.10 1984. 14.10 12.90 10.10 9.20 9.20 1985. 15.40 12.60 8.42 8.53 7.49 1986, 15.70 11.40 9.12 8.91 TEXAS CANTALOUPS: ACREAGE HARVESTED BY AREAS AND COUNTIES, 1985-86 Area and county 1985 1986 Area and county 1985 1986 LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY SAN ANTONIO-WINTER GARDEN 110 100 Cameron 520 450 Atascosa 0,300 9,540 Dimnnit 190 450 Hidalgo 150 140 Starr 2,780 3,840 Frio 10 10 Kinney 100 100 Other counties 100 100 Area Total ^ 3,610 13,840 Maverick Uvalde 800 450 LAREDO 300 430 Webb 250 940 Zavala 80 70 Other counties 50 70 Other counties 1,800 1,840 Area Total 330 1,010 Area Total UPPER COAST CENTRAL TEXAS 50 50 Comanche 160 170 Area Total 100 COASTAL BEND Val Verde 20 20 Other counties 400 380 Area Total Area Total 560 650 TRANS-PECOS Pecos 510 450 EAST TEXAS 520 380 Anderson 170 150 Presidio 220 200 Reeves 210 450 Polk 30 50 Other counties 170 190 Other counties 1,270 1,330 Area Total 560 540 Area Total NORTH TEXAS HIGH PLAINS 240 280 Castro 130 100 CoHin 270 210 Hunt 140 150 Deaf Smith 360 300 Lubbock 250 400 Knox 360 180 Montague 110 100 Farmer 190 140 Other counties 340 440 Wise 1,350 1,330 Other counties 410 420 Area Total Area Total 1,450 1,390 STATE TOTAL 21,000 22,000 * Not shown to avoid disclosure of individual operations or less than 100 acres, COURTESYiAGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE 11 DAILY F.O.B. PRIŒS IN THE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY PRECOOLING & EXTRA SERVICES EXTRA 1987 SEASON HALF CARTONS DATE 9s 12s 15s 18s 23s 30s May 26 - 14.00 14.00 12.00-14.00 12.00 7.00- 8.00 27 - 10.00 10.00 10.00 8.00 7.00 28 - 10.00 10.00 8.00 6.00- 7.00 6.00 29 - 8.00 8.00 7.00- 8.00 6.00 5.00 June 1 7.00 6.00- 7.00 6.00- 7.00 6.00- 8.00 5.00- 6.00 - 2 6.00 6.00 6.50- 7.00 6.00- 7.00 5.00- 6.00 - 3 5,00- 6.00 5.00- 6.00 5.50- 7.00 5.50- 6.00 4.00- 5.00 4.00 4 4.50- 6.00 5.00- 6.00 5.50- 7.00 5.50- 6.00 4.50- 5.00 - 5 5.00- 6.00 5.00- 6.00 6.00- 7.00 5.50- 7.00 5.00- 6.00 - 8 5.00- 5.50 6.00- 7.00 6.00- 8.00 6.00- 8.00 5.00- 6.00 - 9 - 6.00- 7.00 6.00- 7.00 6.00- 7.00 5.00- 6.00 - 10 - 5.00- 6.00 6.00- 7.00 6.00- 7.00 11 5.00 5.00- 6.00 6.00- 6.50 6.00- 7.00 6.00 - 12 5.00 5.00- 6.00 6.00- 6.50 6.00- 6.50 6.00 _ 15 4.00- 4.50 5.00 6.00 6.00 —LAST REPORT— 12 CANTALOUPS MONDAY'S WHOLESALE PRICES FOR TEXAS CANTALOUPS IN MAJOR TERMINAL MARKETS HALF CARTONS OR CRATES 1987 SEASON DATE 12s 15s 18s 23s 12s 15s 18s 23s ATLANTA BALTIMORE May *26 - - -19.50 15.50-17.00 - _ _ _ June 1 - 10.00-12.00 -10.00 8.50-10.00 - 7.00- 8.00 8.00- 9.00 6.50- 7.00 8 - 9.50-10.00 9.50-10.00 7.50-8.50 - 9.00-10.00 10.00-11.00 10.00-11.00 15 8.00- 9.00 8.00- 9.00 ------22------29------BOSTON BUFFALO May *26 ------17.00-17.50 June 1 - - 11.00-14.00 10.00-12.00 - 14.00-14.50 13.50-14.00 12.00-12.50 8 - 6.00- 9.00 6.00- 9.00 6.00- 8.00 11.00-11.50 11.00-11.50 9.00- 9.50 9.00- 9.50 22------29------CHICAGO CINCINNATI May *26 ------17.00 June 1 11.00-12.00 12.00-13.00 13.00-15.00 10.00-12.00 -15.00 -15.00 14.00-15.00 8 10.00-12.00 10.00-12.00 10.00-12.00 8.00-10.00 -11.00 -10.50 -10.50 15 8.00-10.00 8.00-10.00 -11.00 22 - 29 - 8.00- 9.00 8.00- 9.00 - - 7.00 - COLUMBIA D ALLAS May *26 - - - - -23.75 -23.75 2121.00-21.75 .00-21.75 -14.75 June 1 - -12.50 -12.50 -10.50 -10.00 -10.00 9.00-10.00 8.00- 9.00 8 - 8.00-10.00 8.00-10.00 8.00- 9.00 15 - 9.50-11.00 9.50-11.00 ----- 22------29 - 9.50-10.50 9.50-10.50 ----- DENVER DETROIT June 1 -12.00 -12.00 -12.00 - -14.00 12.00-14.00 10.00-12.00 9.00-11.00 8 - - - - 8.50- 9.75 8.00- 8.50 - 7.50 15 - - - - - 8.00 - 8.00 - 8.00 22------29------NEWYORK PHILADELPHIA June 1 - - - - - 8.00 8.00- 9.00 8.00-10.00 7.00-10.00 8 7.00-9.00 9.00-11.00 10.00-12.00 10.00-12.00 - 10.00-11.00- 9.00-10.00 9.00-10.00 15 7.00- 8.00 6.00- 9.00 - - - 9.0O - - - 22------29 7.00- 8.00 ------PITTSBURGH ST. LOUIS May *26 ------22.00 18.25-22.00 15.50-18.00 June 1 - - - - -13.50 -11.50 10.00-10.50 8.00- 9.50 8 9.00-11.00 10.00-12.00 10.00-12.00 9.00-11.00 7.50-10.00 8.50- 9.50 8.50-10.00 8.00- 8.50 15 8.00- 8.50 - 8.00-10.00 - - 9.00 - 10.00-10.50 7.50- 8.50 22------29------LOSANGELES NEWORLEANS June 1 -12.00 -12.00 -12.00 ----- 8 ------11.00 10.75-12.75 10.00-11.00 15 - - - - -11.00 " -11.00 -11.00 22------29------ ♦TUESDAY'S PRICES DUE TO HOLIDAY ON MONDAY. 13 CANTALOUPS 1987 SAN-ANTONIO - WINTER GARDEN - LAREDO AREA PRODUCTION & SHIPMENTS: Available figures from Texas Agricultural Statistics Service for the 1986 spring acreage of cantaloups harvested in the Winter Garden and Laredo area was 2850 acres (Winter Garden 1840 acres, and Laredo 1010 acres) of a state total of 22,000 acres. The 1987 figures were not available at the time of this release. Truck shipments from the Winter Garden-Laredo area were 210 (45,000 # trucklots). 328 were shipped in 1986 and 452 in 1985. GROWING CONDITIONS: Planting began in late February and March but was slow due to wet field conditions. In late March and early April there was scattered light frost in the area. Weather continued cool and cloudy during the growing season causing maturity to be very slow. HARVEST: First shipments were about a month later than normal with movement beginning from the Laredo area on June 17th. The Winter Garden began a few days later and most supplies had been harvested by the end of July. Some fields had to be abandoned due to heavy rains in early June. PACKAGING AND MARKETING: Cantaloups in the Winter Garden are generally packed in 1/2 cartons (approximately 40 lbs.) ranging in sizes of 9s,12s, 15s, 18s, and 23s. Many fields were bulked out instead of packing due to the variance in quality and only going to near-by receivers. No F.O.B. was reported this season due to lack of supplies and quality. 14 CANTALOUPS 1987 TRANS - PECOS AREA (PRESIDIO-PECOS) PRODUCTION & SHIPMENTS: The available figures from the Texas Agricultural Statistics Service for the 1986 season in harvested acres was 1330 compared to 1270 acres in 1985. 1987 figures were not available at the time of this release. First shipments began in Presidio on July 3rd. Pecos began in a light way about July 18th. By the end of July, Presidio had finished and Pecos continued throughout August. Total shipments for the 1987 season was 801 (45,000 # trucklots) compared to 756 in 1986. The heaviest volume was during August 10-17 when 191 loads were shipped from the Pecos area. GROWING CONDITIONS & HARVEST: Planting began in early March and continued into April. Growth was slowed by cool temperatures. A late freeze, in late March - early April continued to slow growth and caused some damage, but little replanting occurred. Harvest began in early July from the Presidio area. Pecos began in mid-July and continued through August. PACKAGING & MARKETING: The primary container used in packing cantaloups is a half carton weighing approximately 40 pounds ranging in sizes from 9s, 12s,15s,18s, and 23s. Trading was moderate to fairly active throughout the season at mostly $6.00 for 12s, 15s, and 18s. Daily FOB information was not available. Prices were collected on a weekly basis for the National Shipping Point Trends Report that is normally released each Monday. 15 HO NEYBEM HE LO NS i9e? SEAsm HÎËHLIBHTS; This ssasön thers «ere heavy iosses in th? Texas höneyde« croo ÚU2 to heavy rains durinç the siönth of Hav. Frois p-n-Hiiation fcr the differences between these ï^o fiqures HDUIO be that tne South Texas Helün CoíUnjitteí^ inclüdss melons used îî:aïiv' til the toiler Rio Bra;^de Valley. This sussiafy cnly sno^^s shipments out of fñQ Lower Rio Grande Valleys__ 'ne IB^^^SOE cartons of noneydew selons not included in this suis^iary nay have beer: cunsunied locally inthe Lower ^io Grande Villey. FROIfUCTIöN AMD SHIPfOTS: There neve 8,086 acres of honeydews planted in the Loner Rio Srande vallev and Laredo durinq the Bprinq of 1907. This ccispares to l,h2h acres planted durinq the spring cf 198é or an increase of about 0); froi 1986. Av£"aqe yields per acre UT^^peu considerably this saascn due to'eiicessive rain snú lost acreage during harvest. Bhisients out of the Lo^er Rio Grande Valley for the season in 40,000 lb units Mere h023. This compares to E,C7c for the 1936 spring croo, or a decrease of adcot SOL The first shioients i^ere the ^eek ending Hay 23rd. Viluie increased steadily until p^dk shiouients ^^ere noted the i^eek endino June éth wher 437 trucks of honeyde^vs were shiooed. Volute then decreased ^¿iiclv and bv the end of June very fen hone/deKs vjere left in t^e valley, "he last shioíents sei^e revj^^ei th? i-^ee? ending Juñe EOth. Hcccrdinq to ine Scuth Texas rlslon Coíi^ittee there were E9,7Ei cartons (SE trucks^ of rcneydews shiocsd frc:r Laredo. LOCATIOH; over BO^ of the state's honeydews acreace is }^ the Lowe^ Fio Srande Valley. iSt3rr Countv has =^^-' "^^ ^-^ ^^^ viliev'slev's ¿creaqeizreaqe aDûar\u Hidalgo Coui^ty oroduces the other 30^ o" i-e valley's ronevdews). 10A of the ftaia's ¿cresqe is m the ns-FrCos area aid 10^ is scattered in othe 1 r = 3 z BROyiNS CONDITIONS AMD HARVESTIHSî This season weather conditions ^ere very unfavorable for horeydeh^ growei-s. In January, roin in the i^estern part of the Valley washed out sonie early honeydew fields. Cold, ^let «eatner m rièjzh sloned 50;"e honeyde« developnent. A hte ^àrch frost burnt some honeydei=: biOO:^s in ION Iving areas'. Over "ive inches of rain during the 3ionth of nay resulted in loiter quality honeydews being narvasted. i-'.zr crtino this ^i^^^on beoan about E ^eekc later than ncrisal: Rai^ durinc the harvest tise resulted in ioner ojaiit'^' ^nelons Dsmq nafvested. Therensre heavy losses in honeyde^ ^lelons this season as a result of s::cessiv5 rains ir niy. By June Zi'f'r,^ -"^ncf nsrycsqrjri2 yt-^ ~~?s"le^ed ^n t^p LoHsr Fiio Brand5 Vallev« PACKHBIHS ANS HARKETIM6Î Honevden ;nelon5 ¿re norieally pocked m E'E cartons ^standard, oonv or juinbo; i^ith ^ost suoolies bamq packed in the E/3 standard carton, tèch carton neicrs aporoxi^atelv 30 pounds. Honeyde« Misions ¿re sized HS, 5S, OS, 35= ^z\ 10s and lEs, with the pre'erred sizes beinq the 6s înû 8s, Since honeydei^s are a Isroe volunte croo in the LOHS" Rio Srarde Valley^ a iarketmq order was put into effect several vea^s ago to help reoulate quality. Qualitv stanoa^ds i's enforced through orade and'container requireiBents and inspections. ?lot ^o"e than 50" of the üielons in ¿T¡V one lot fiiav f¿il to ñeeX the ü.3^ côf?isercial ^Vcie requirements and not incre than EO^ shall be allowad for serious da^aqe, 3nd 'aiáñiuír of 10^ for soft decav. All packaoinq and marketing is reoulated by trie South Te-ías Heion Ccisinittee. To o'ovide funds to adniniste^" this procrafs. 50Í2 fixed handler costs are required. This vear they i^iere E 1/E cents per box for inspection, 1 1/E cents/bo;: fo:* regulatory (Road Stations- and E cents sesber costs. This is a èecrease o^ Î/E" cent/box fei^oer costs frctñ ï^-.e 193^- S52SOn." This year the Texas Fresh Prosotional Board coordinated all inerchancising of Texas ielcns. The first honeyde^ F.C.B. ^as reported on Hay E6th -^íhen cartons of eiqht honeydeHs were selling for 116.00. As volume increased, the oiarket slipced to f3.00 on B size hDneydews by June 6th. 'The iarket regained at that price for a fe?# day then rose slightly to $3.0ó-í3.w0 ifhere it stoyed through the e^é of the season. The last F.O.B. price Has reoorted or June 16th. 16 HONEYDEW MELONS Acres Harvested 1985 1 dot= 100 acres Dots indicate acres without respect to geographic location within the county. HONEYDEW MELONS FRESH MARKET SEASONAL MOVEMENT 1/ Rail plus truck unloads ¡n 22 cities by months 3000 1984 1985 Z2S0 c 3 1500 O O om O 750 Jan. F«b. Mor. Apr. May JUIM July Aug. S«pt Get Nov. D«e. ^y Source: Market News Service, U.S.DA COURTESY:AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE 17 HONEYDEW MELONS WEEKLY HONEYDEW MOVEMENT (Includes Raíl, Piggyback, Truck, Aîr, Boat, Export, and Import) 40,000 lb Units 1987 SEASON TEXAS ARIZ CALIF. MEXICO GUATEMALA TOTAL WEEK Hereford Lower San Trans-Pecos Rio Antonio Area ENDING Grande Winter Valley Garden Laredo May 23 - 18 - - - - 133 7 158 30 ~ 219 "" "" ~ 6 68 — 293 June 6 - 437 - - - 41 16 13 507 13 - 264 - - 15 71 6 356 20 - 85 21 - 70 115 8 - 299 27 ■■ ~ 22 *" 285 222 6 -" 535 July 4 2 210 385 3 22 622 TOTAL 1,023 45 580 840 240 42 2,770 18 TEXAS HONEYDEW MELONS FOR FRESH MARKET: ACREAGE, YIELD, PRODUCTION, PRICE AND VALUE, 197786 Acreage Yield Season average Year Production Value Planteci Harvested per acre price per cwt. - Acres - Cwf. 1,000cwt, Dollars 1,000 dollars 1977 ; . . . . 5,300 5,100 98 500 14.30 7,150 1978 4,100 4,000 150 600 13.90 8,340 1979 6,600 6,400 125 800 13.00 10,400 1980 4,400 4,200 160 672 20.40 13,709 1981 4,400 4,000 170 680 23.40 15,912 1982 5,100 4,900 160 784 24.30 19,051 1983 5,700 5,500 140 770 20.40 15,708 1984 5,200 5,000 190 950 15.30 14,535 1985. 5,200 5,000 190 950 19.90 18,905 1986 7 400 7 onn 170 lion iß^n 91777 - ■ ------ TEXAS HONEYDEW MELONS FOR FRESH MARKET: MONTHLY PRICES, 1977-86 Year Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. - Dollars per cwt. - 1977 21 20 12 70 15 50 1978 20.00 13 40 13 70 1979 14.00 13 50 8 00 8 00 1980 24 60 18 60 20 00 1981 27.40 21.30 23.40 1982 33 30 21 10 • 24 30 1983 24.40 19.00 20.40 1984 14 80 15 60 15 30 1985 20.50 19.40 1986 93 in 29 in 19 Rn 19 Rn 19 Rn 19 RO TEXAS HONEYDEW MELONS: ACREAGE HARVESTED BY AREAS AND COUNTIES, 1985-86 Area and county 1985 1986 Area and county 1985 1986 LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY SAN ANTONIO-WINTER GARDEN Hidalgo 2,630 2,500 Dimmitt 100 Starr . . 1,320 3,180 Frio 110 150 Other counties 90 50 Area Total 110 250 Area Total 4,040 5,730 TRANS-PECOS LAREDO Presidio 470 300 Webb 190 460 Other counties 30 100 Area Total 190 460 Area Total 500 400 HIGH PLAINS STATE TOTAL. 5,000 7,000 Area Total 160 160 * Not shown to avoid disclosure of individual operations or less than 100 acres. COURTESY:AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE 19 HONEYDEW MELONS DAILY F.O.B. PRICES IN THE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY PRECOOLING & EXTRA SERVICES EXTRA 1987 SEASON 2/3 STANDARD CARTON S DATE 4s 5s 6s 8s 9s lOs 12s May 26 - 18.00 18.00 16.00 14.00-15.00 12.00 - 27 - 18.00 18.00 16.00 14.00 12.00 10.00 28 - 18.00 13.00 15.00- 16.00 14.00 12.00 10.00 29 - 14.00 14.00 12.00 10.00-12.00 8.00- ■10.00 6.00- 8.00 June 1 - 10.00-12.00 10.00-12.00 9.00- 12.00 8.00-10.00 7.00- 9.00 . 2 - 8.00-10.00 8.00- •10.00 7.00- 8.00 6.00- 7.00 5.00 - 3 - 8.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 5.00 - 4 - 7.00- 8.00 7.00- • 8.00 6.00- 7.00 5.00- 6.00 3.50- 5.00 3.00 5 - 6.00- 7.00 6.00-• 7.00 5.00- 7.00 4.00- 5.00 3.00- 4.00 - 8 - 6.00 6.00 5.00- 7.00 4.00- 5.00 3.00- 3.50 - 9 - 6.00 6.00 5.00- 6.00 4.00 2.50- 3.00 - 10 - 6.00 6.00 5.00 3.00- 4.00 2.50- 3.00 - 11 - 6.00 6.00 5.50- 6.00 3.00- 4.00 2.50- 3.00 - 12 - 5.00- 6.00 5.00-' 6.00 4.00- 5.00 3.00- 4.00 2.50- 3.00 - 15 5.00- 6.00 5.00- 6.00 5.00-■ 6.00 4.00- 5.00 3.00- 3.50 2.50 _ LAST REPORT 20 MONDAY'S WHOLESALE PRIŒS FOR TEXAS HONEYDEWS IN MAJOR TERMINAL MARKETS 1987 SEASON 2/3 DATE 5s 6s 8s 9s 10s ATLANTA June 1 - - - 8 -10.50 -10.50 8.50- 9.50 - 8.00 15 - 7.50- 8.00 7.50- 8.00 5.50- 6.00 22 - - - 29- 6.25- 6.50 - - - - BALTIMORE June 1 - - -16.00 8 7.50- 8.50 7.50- 8.50 6.00- 7.00 - 6.00 15 - 6.00 - 6.00 5.00- 6.00 5.00- 6.00 BOSTON June 1 14.00-15.00 14.00-15.00 13.00-16.00 12.00-16.00 8 11.00-12.00 8.00-12.00 8.00-11.00 10.00-11.00 8.00-10.00 15 7.00- 8.00 7.00- 8.00 7.00- 8.00 6.00- 7.00 5.00- 6.00 BUFFALO June 1 - - - 19.00-19.50 19.50-20.00 8 - - 10.50-11.00 10.50-11.00 8.00-8.50 . 15 - 22 - - - 29 8.00- 8.50 - CHICAGO ' June 1 - 16.00-17.00 16.00-17.00 13.00-15.00 8 12.00-13.00 12.00-13.00 9.00-10.00 7.00- 8.00 7.00- 8.00 15 10.00-11.00 10.00-11.00 7.00- 8.00 7.00- 8.00 7.00- 8.00 22 29 8.00- 9.00 8.00- 9.00 - c 1 N C 1 N N A T 1 June 1 - -17.50 -15.50 -14.50 13.50-14.50 8 -10.00 -10.00 15 6.50- 7.50 - 7.50 C 0 L U M B 1 A June 1 - -24.50 - - -18.50 8 15 - -10.75 - 7.00- 8.00 DALLAS May *26 - - -19.50 -18.50 June 1 - 17.50-18.50 17.50-18.50 -16.50 -15.00 8 - - - - -15.00 15 7.50- 8.50 7.50- 8.50 -. - 5.75 - 5.75 22 - - - 29 - - 8.50- 8.75 - 6.50- 6.75 ♦TUESDAY'S PRICES DUE TO FEDERAL HOLIDAY ON MONDAY. 21 MONDAY'S WHOLESALE PRIŒS FOR TEXAS HONEYDEWS IN MAJOR TERMINAL MARKETS 1987 SEASON 2/3 DATE 5s 6s 8s 9s lOs DENVER June 1 -18.00 17.00-22.00 8 10.00-11.00 10.00-11.00 - 15 9.00-10.00 9.00-11.00 - June 1 -15.00 -14.00 12.00-14.00 10.00-12.00 9.00-10.00 8 - 9.00 9.00-10.00 -10.00 - 9.00 15 - 6.00 7.00- 8.50 7.00- 8.50 - 7.00 - 6.50 22 - 29 - 9.00 - 9.00 LOS ANGELES June 1 16.00-18.00 16.00-18.00 16.00-18.00 16.00-18.00 8 14.00-16.00 -12.00 -12.00 15 7.00- 7.50 7.00- 7.50 5.00- 5.50 22 -12.00 11.00-11.75 N£W^ Y^O R^K June 8 12.00-14.00 12-00-14.00 10.00-12.00 8.00-10.00 15 - 9.00 - 22 29 7.00- 8.00 7.00- 8.00 f.2i.Li:.A£I.Lf.iLlA June 1 -20.00 17.00-18.00 15.00-16.00 12.00-13.00 13.00-14.00 8 9.00-10.00 9.00-10.00 8.00- 9.00 - 8.00 15 6.00- 7.00 5.00- 6.00 5.00- 6.00 4.00- 5.00 Lll££iL££." June 8 _ -12.00 11.00-12.00 10.50-11.00 -10.00 15 22 V - - 29 7.00- 9.00 7.00- 9.00 ST. LOUIS June 1 - - 15.50-16.50 15.50-16.50 8 - 7.50- 9.00 7.50- 9.00 15 - 6.00- 8.00 6.00- 8.00 5.00- 7.00 5.00- 6.50 ♦TUESDAY'S PRICES DUE TO FEDERAL HOLIDAY ON MONDAY. 22 TEXAS WATERMELONS - 1987 Production: 1987 watermelon production in Texas decreased based on information received from the Texas Agricultural Statistics Service. The final estimate of production was 4,600,000 cwt., a decrease of 720,000 cwt. from the 1986 crop. Acres harvested in 1987 were set at 40,000 acres compared to 38,000 in 1986. Yields were down in 1987 and averaged 115 cwts. per acre as compared to 140 cwts. per acre in 1986. Poor growing conditions in 1987 contributed to lower production and variable quality in some areas. The value of the 1987 crop was estimated at $43,010,000.00 as compared to $35,910,000.00 in 1986. The major production continues to be from the Rio Grande Valley, Coastal Bend, and San Antonio-Winter Garden-Laredo districts. Other production areas include Central and East Texas with the Southern High Plains and North Texas areas having supplies available from late summer to early fall. Weather and Crop: Weather and growing conditions were widely variable and generally poor in 1987. Planting of the crop began in early February in the Rio Grande Valley but was slowed by rain and wet fields. By mid-march most of the crop had been planted from the San Antonio-Winter Garden district south to the Valley. Conditions changed dramatically on March 31st, as a heavy freeze covered much of the state. A combination of wind, freeze and cold weather damage across watermelon production areas caused a decrease in yields, maturity to be delayed several weeks and replanting in East Texas to continue through April. As the delayed harvest began in late May weather conditions again turned poor as in 1986. The primary production areas of the Valley, Coastal Bend and San Antonio-Winter Garden-Laredo were affected by a stalled tropical depression which brought unseasonably high rainfall. Quality and disease problems were quite prevalent in many fields and fruit set was light in many areas. Many growers did not have supplies available for the Memorial Day period. The two weeks of heaviest shipments for the season were June 20th and 27th when 1,867 truckloads were shipped. Marketing: The first FOB shipping point report for the 1987 crop year was released on May 28. Prices at that time for bulk Long Grays and Royal Sweets were $8.00-9.00 per cwt. The market moved higher the first two weeks of June due to light supplies and were generally in the $9.00-11.00 per cwt. range for Long Grays with Royal Sweets and Jubilees $10.00-12.00 per cwt. From mid-June until the 4th of July period the market declined and then dropped sharply to $3.00-4.00 mostly $3.00-3.50 per cwt. for the remainder of the regualr season. Marketing of the 1987 crop in Texas was affected by a late maturing crop, variable quality and supplies due to adverse weather and by a shortage of available tranportation. Most of the major watermelon producing states were affected by the late March, early April freeze in 1987. Replanted fields in many states all matured around the 4th of July period creating an oversupply situation. 23 Transportation: Total reported truck shipments for the May 22nd through August 6th period were 5,198. (*Reported by truck stations and shipper-brokers. Doesn't include all shipments delivered by producers using own transportation.) Reported shipments in 1986 were 6,503 (45,000 lb units). Daily movement peaked on June 18th with 196 reported loads and weekly shipments peaked the week of June 20th with 1,031 loads. The majority of all watermelons continue to be transported by truck with a few piggybacks lo,aded out of the Rio Grande Valley area. Varieties: Long Gray continues to be the main variety planted along with Jubilees, Crimson Sweets and All-Sweets. The primary hybrid planted is Royal Sweet followed by Royal Jubilee. Watermelons continue to be shipped bulk, cartoned, or in bins depending on customer preference and/or time of harvest season. 24 WATERMELONS Acres Harvested 1985 1 dot= 100 acres Dots indicate acres without respect to geographic location within the county. WATERMELONS FRESH MARKET SEASONAL MOVEMENT 1/ Rail plus truck unloads ¡n 22 cities by months 3000 1984 1985 2250 c 3 1S00 O o 750 T 1 1 r Jan. F«b. Mar. Apr. May Jun« July Aug. Sept Get D«c. J/ Source: Market News Service, U.S.DA (Courtesy of Crop Reporting Service) 25- WEEKLY WATERMELON SHIPICNTS (Truck & Rail CcMbîned, Shown in 43,000 Lb Units) Week Arizona California Florida Georgia Mississippi Missouri Ending 1986 1987 1986 1987 1986 1987 1986 1987 1986 1987 1986 1987 Loads April 4 1 6 11 11 10 18 18 - 21 14 25 68 - 30 52 May 2 28 29 253 143 9 76 103 1,161 162 16 31 150 147 1,803 361 23 75 14 425 178 2,180 1,024 30 95 32 446 255 2,045 1,463 June 6 338 100 434 521 1,910 1,503 13 531 156 377 503 1,993 1,030 44 20 453 503 447 532 2,002 1,294 382 36 27 333 719 541 576 1,641 2,222 1,203 527 48 41 - 5 July 4 225 487 631 848 907 1,612 874 926 154 159 - 39 11 156 128 501 561 488 746 662 876 357 155 89 396 18 119 172 556 767 155 93 254 615 279 182 604 604 25 84 79 539 537 32 22 137 273 174 185 471 536 Aug 1 78 51 344 541 15 5 263 100 163 270 544 8 61 65 416 423 8 104 11 134 195 298 15 20 36 326 212 7 7 131 119 22 13 25 417 168 92 32 29 2 27 313 233 1 33 2 Sept 5 2 6 181 173 16 12 161 50 19 1 123 34 26 2 30 28 Total 2,616 2,603 7,548 7,419 1,765 : 5,556 3,628 1,123 1,026 1,901 2,575 UAok N* Carol Ina S* Carolina íxas Viírginla Mex ico Total Ending 1986 1987 1986 1987 1986 1987 1986 1987 1986 1987 1986 1987 Loads Apr! I 4 - - - 327 225 328 231 11 - - - 434 281 445 291 18 - - - 421 322 460 336 25 - - - 402 424 500 476 May 2 54 - - - 414 384 749 556 9 176 - - - 367 410 1,780 675 16 636 - - - 258 628 2,878 1,136 23 975 46 - - 270 721 3,925 1,983 30 656 341 - - 142 276 3,384 2,367 June 6 652 611 - - 107 425 3,441 3,160 13 24 498 669 - - 112 533 3,579 2,891 20 227 67 530 1,031 - - 53 131 4,094 3,594 27 596 371 708 836 - - 47 100 5,117 5,397 July 4 8 623 475 456 518 - - 38 31 3,916 5,095 11 91 58 498 502 344 306 - - 18 15 3,204 3,743 18 280 368 197 514 320 231 86 20 2 11 2,852 3,577 25 310 551 104 190 274 279 197 177 - 4 2,322 2,833 Aug 1 194 279 146 228 160 123 - 2 1,307 2,199 8 58 105 73 102 127 59 - - 949 1,291 15 15 33 5 - 46 3 - 4 543 421 22 - 26 - - 1 548 227 29 - - - - 1 348 264 Sept 5 - - - - 1 199 180 12 - - - - - 161 50 19 - - - - - 123 35 26 - - - - 2 30 33 Total 956 1,394 2,269 2,119 6,503 5,198 642 382 3,412 4,932 47,182 43,041 26 TEXAS WATERMELONS FOR FRESH MARKET: ACREAGE, YIELD, PRODUCTION, PRICE AND VALUE, 1977-86 Acreage Yield Season average Year Production Value per acre price per cwt. Planted Harvested - Acres - Cwt. 1,000 cwt. Dollars 1,000 dollars 1977 62,000 58,000 112 6,522 3.80 24,754 1978 55,000 49,000 90 4,425 4.54 20,090 1979 50,500 46,000 100 4,600 5.03 23,122 1980 \ 40,200 36,000 95 3,405 9.04 30,794 1981 \ 49,100 43,900 105 4,629 8.00 37,022 1982 47,500 43,100 101 4,360 7.76 33,834 1983 36,000 32,400 105 3,438 10.40 35,707 1984 60,000 55,000 110 6,090 5.18 31,569 1985 46,000 44,000 130 5,720 5.20 29,744 1986 42,000 38,000 140 5,320 6.75 35,910 . TEXAS WATERMELONS FOR FRESH MARKET: MONTHLY PRICES, 1977-86 Year Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Dollars per cwt, 1977 6.10 4.30 3.35 3.10 3.25 3.25 1978 5.20 5.25 3.90 4.25 4.25 4.25 1979 7.80 4.50 4.40 6.30 5.40 6.00 1980 10.60 8.60 8.20 9.60 10.80 1981 9.70 8.50 7.60 7.00 7.00 8.00 1982 12.30 9.50 6.40 6.70 7.00 7.00 1983 20.00 11.70 9.00 7.50 7.50 7.50 1984 5.30 5.30 5.00 5.10 5.10 5.10 1985 5.88 4.33 5.96 5.96 1986 5.00 7.50 8.40 7.47 TEXAS WATERMELONS: ACREAGE HARVESTED BY AREAS AND COUNTIES, 1985-86 Area and county 1985 1986 Area and county 1985 1986 LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY COASTAL BEND Cameron 210 180 Bee 250 220 Hidalgo 2,310 1,990 Brooks 740 540 Starr 1,880 1,640 Duval 3,680 3,810 Willacy 100 Goliad 120 100 Other counties 90 Jim Hogg UIO 760 Area Total 4,500 3,900 Jim Wells 1,840 1,390 Kleberg 490 320 LAREDO Other counties 70 60 Webb 1,400 1,210 Area Total 8,300 7,200 Zapata 100 Other counties 90 TRANS-PECOS Area Total 1,500 1,300 Area Total 100 100 CGURTESYrAGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE 27 TEXAS WATERMELONS: ACREAGE HARVESTED BY AREAS AND COUNTIES, 1985-86 Area and county 1985 1986 Area and county 1985 1986 SAN ANTONIO-WINTER GARDEN Nacogdoches 740 640 Atascosa 780 570 Rains 140 120 Frio 5,550 4,240 Red River 200 170 La Salle 870 750 Rusk 430 370 Wilson 1,570 1,160 San Augustine 100 Zavala 170 150 Shelby 870 750 Other counties 260 230 VanZandt 210 180 Area Total 9,200 7,100 Wood 2,150 1,730 Other counties 460 600 UPPER COAST Area Total 6,500 5,600 Austin 170 Fort Bend 110 NORTH TEXAS Harris 120 100 Donley 110 Waller *. . . 340 260 Fisher 220 120 Wharton 110 250 Hall 220 190 Other counties 150 290 Jones 430 370 Area Total 1,000 900 Knox 330 -300 Montague 660 600 CENTRAL TEXAS Motley no Bastrop 150 130 Parker 110 Burleson 320 280 Wilbarger 160 140 Caldwell 430 370 Wise 430 350 Comanche 1,650 1,160 Other counties 420 730 DeWitt 160 140 Area Total 3,200 2,800 Eastland 270 230 Erath 220 190 HIGH PLAINS Gonzales 980 1,050 Bailey 110 Lavaca '. . . . 160 140 Briscoe * 200 Limestone 430 370 Cochran * 100 McLennan 110 140 Gaines 660 1,070 « Madison 110 Glasscock 320 180 Mason 320 280 Hale 210 100 « M il am 110 Lamb 160 100 Robertson 770 610 Lubbock 210 500 Upton 100 Farmer 210 100 Other counties 710 910 Swisher 210 250 Area Total 7,000 6,000 Terry 320 200 * Yoakum 110 EAST TEXAS Other counties 180 300 Anderson 530 460 ; Area Total 2,700 3 100 uassn-^ft^ 140 120 1 Henderson 370 320 1 STATE TOTAL 44,000 38,000 Morris 160 140 ! * Not shown to avoid disclosure of individual operations or less than 100 acres. COURTESY: AGRI CULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE 28 SALES F.O.B. SHIPPING POINT BASIS PER HUNDREDWEIGHT BY VARIETY Long Gray Jubî lee Crimson Sweet Date 18-24 lbs 26-32 lbs 18-28 lbs 30-36 lbs 18-24 lbs 26-32 lbs FLORIDA May 13 20.00-: 25.00 26.00- 30.00 20.00- 25.00 26.00- 30.00 20.00- 25.00 26.00-30.00 ^ 18 18.00-; 21.00 20.00- 21.00 18.00-:21.00 20.00-: 21.00 18.00- 21.00 20.00-21 .00 26 8.00 10.00- 11.00 8.00 10.00- 11.00 8.00 10.00-11.00 June 1 10.00- 12.00 10.00- 13.00 10.00- 12.00 10.00- 13.00 10.00- 12.00 10.00-13.00 8 12.00- 13.00 13.00- 14.00 12.00-13.00 13.00- 14.00 12.00- 13.00 13.00-14.00 15 12.00- 13.00 12.00- 13.00 12.00- 13.00 12.00- 13.00 12.00- 13.00 12.00-13.00 22 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 29 4.00- 5.00 4.00- 4.50 4.00- 5.00 4.00- 4.50 4.00- 5.00 4.00- 4.50 July 6 3.50- 4.00 ' 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 10 2.50- 3.00 2.50- 3.00 2.50- 3.00 2.50- 3.00 2.50- 3.00 2.50- 3.00 TEXAS May 28 8.00- 9.00 8.00- 9.00 - - - - June 1 8.00- 9.00 9.00- 10.00 - - - - 8 10.00- 11.00 10.00- 11.00 - - - - 15 8.00- 9.00 8.00- 9.00 8.00- 9.00 8.00- 9.00 - - 22 7.00- 8.00 7.00- 8.00 7.00- 8.00 7.00- 8.00 7.00- 8.00 7.00- 8.00 29 5.00- 6.00 4.50- 5.50 5.00- 6.00 4.50- 5.50 5.00- 6.00 4.50- 5.50 July 6 5.00 5.00 - - ^3 . - 3.00- 4.00 3.00- 4.00 3.00- 4.00 3.00- 4.00 20 3.00- 3.50 3.00- 3.50 3.00- 3.50 3.00- 3.50 - - 27 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 - - Auq 3 ~ 3.00- 3.50 3.00- 3.50 3.00- 3.50 3.00- 3.50 ^ 4 3.00- 3.50 3.00- 3.50 3.00- 3.50 3.00- 3.50 " " GEORGIA June 25 5.00- 6.00 5.00 5.00- 6.00 5.00 5.00- 6.00 5.00 29 4.50- 5.00 4.00- 5.00 4.50- 5.00 4.00- 5.00 4.50- 5.00 4.00- 5.00 July 6 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 ^ 13 2.50- 3.00 2.50- 3.00 2.50- 3.00 2.50- 3.00 2.50- 3.00 2.50- 3.00 20 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 SOUTM CAROLINA June 25 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 29 4.50- 5.00 4.00- 5.00 4.50- 5.00 4.00- 5.00 4.50- 5.00 4.00- 5.00 July 6 4.00 3.75- 4.00 4.00 3.75- 4.00 4.00 3.75- 4.00 13 3.00- 3.50 3.00- 3.50 3.00- 3.50 3.00- 3.50 3.00- 3.50 - 20 3.50 3.00 3.50 3.00 3.50 3.00 NOKIH CAROLINA July 13 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 - - 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 20 4.00- 4.50 4.50 4.00- 4.50 4.00- 4.50 4.00- 4.50 4.50 27 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Aug 3 4.00 4.00 - - 4.00 4.00 10 3.75- 4.00 4.00 - ~ 3.75- 4.00 4.00 12 - 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 MISSISSIPPI July 7 - - 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 - - 13 - - 3.00- 3.50 3.00- 3.50 - - 20 « _ 3.00- 3.50 3.00 - 3.50 - - 24 — 3.00- 3.50 3.00 - 3.50 " MISSOURI July 6 5.00 - - - 5.00 - 13 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50 3.50 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 20 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50 3.50 3.25- 3.75 3.25- 3.75 27 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 Aug 3 3.50 3.50 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50 3.50 10 3.50 3.50 3.50- 4.00 3.50- 4.00 3.50 3.50 17 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.50 - 25 4.50- 5.00 4.50- 5.00 " VIRGINIA July 21 4.50 4.50- 5.00 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50- 5.00 27 4.00 4.00 - - 4.00 4.00 Aug 3 4.00 - 4.00 - ^ 4 4.00 - - 4.00 - 29 WHOLESALE TERMINAL MARKET PRIŒS FOR WATERMELONS FOR THE 1987 SEASON Cîty Long Gray Jubîlee Crimson Sweet and Date 18-24 lbs 26-32 lbs 18-28 lbs 30-36 lbs 18-24 lbs 26-32 lbs TEXAS BOSTON June 8 0.17 0.25 15 22 29 July 6 13 20 0.10- 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.10- 0.12 0.10- 0.11 0.11- 0.12 27 0.10- 0.11 0.12 0.10- 0.11 Aug 3 0.10- 0.11 0.10 0.10- 0.12 0.11 CHICAGO June 1 0.20- 0.22 0.20- 0.22 8 0.20- 0.22 0.20- 0.22 15 0.20- 0.22 22 0.19- 0.20 0.18- 0.20 29 July 6 13 20 27 — 0.10- 0.11 DALLAS June 1 0.12 1/2- 0..15 0.12 1/2-0.15 8 0.12- 0,.15 - 15 0..12 - 22 0.12 1/2- 0.13 0.12 1/2- 0.13 0.12 1/2- 0..13 0.12 1/2-0.13 29 0.12- 0.13 0.12- 0.13 0.12- 0,.13 0.12- 0.13 July 6 0.12 0.10- 0.12 0,.12 0.10- 0.12 13 0.10- 0.12 0.10- 0.13 0.10- 0,.12 0.10- 0.12 20 0.08 - 0.08 0.08 27 - 0.08 Aug 3 — 0.08 DENVER June 1 0.18- 0.22 8 - 0.18- 0.20 15 - 0.18- 0.20 22 29 « 0.14 July 6 - 0.15 13 - 0.15 20 - 0.15 27 - 0.15 Aug 3 — 0.15 DETROIT June 15 0.18 0.18 0. »20 0.20 0.20 0.20 22 0.15- 0.17 0.15- 0.17 - 0.18 29 0.12 0.12 0,.12 0.12 July 6 0.10- 0.12 0.10 - 0.11- 0.12 13 0.10 - 0.10- 0.12 20 0.08- 0.10 - _ 0.10- 0.12 27 0.08- 0.10 0.08- 0.10 Aug 3 - 0.10- 0.12 NEW YORK June 8 0.26- 0.29 15 - 0.25- 0.29 22 29 0.13- 0.14 0.13- 0.18 July 6 13 20 0.13- 0.14 27 0.13- 0.14 Aug 3 0.13- 0.14 30 The South Texas Melon Committee, in a me eting duly assembl ed on November 1987, in accordance with 979.50 of the 0 rder> cons idered t he following * marketing policy data> and other pertine nt fac tors affecti ng the production and marketing of melons* The Committee deems that this Ma rketing Policy is desirable and necessary for the successf ul mar keti ng of th e melon crop 'expected to be produced in South Texas d uring the 1988 sea son. It is the objective of the South Texas Melon Commi ttee t o recommend regulations under the authority of Marketing Order No. 97 9 that will accomp lish the declared policy of the Agricultural Marketing Agr eement Act of 1937 , as amended, in the best interest of the melon producers in th e designated production area and of the consuming public. 1. Supply The following tables show spring acreage, yield, production, and total value of cantaloupes and honeydew melons. National and state data for cantaloupes since 1982 is not available (except for Texas) since it was discontinued by the Crop and Livestock Reporting Service. Table 1. TEXAS CANTALOUPES FOR FRESH MARKET: Acreage, Yield, 1977-86 ; Acreage Yield YEAR : Planted Harvested per acre Acres -Cwtv- 1977 ; 17,800 17,200 118 1978 ! 22,700 21,300 107 1979 : 19,000 18,100 116 1980 : 17,200 16,300 124 • 1981 : 16,700 14,800 132 1982 ! 23,900 21,100 113 1983 ! , 21,000 19,000 125 • 1984 ' 20,000 18,000 175 1985 , 22,000 21,000 160 1986 : 24,000 22,000 160 Table 2. TEXAS CANTALOUPES: Production, Price and Value 1977-1986 Season Average ; Year ; Production ', price per cwt. ; Value 1.0Ü0 cwt. ! Dollars ; " 1/00 0 "Dollars -^ 1977 ;: 2,021 13.52 ! 27,321 1978 : 2,286 ; 9.87 ; 22,566 1979 ¡ 2,108 ! 13.80 29,088 1980 ; 2,027 : 16.78 34,003 1981 ! 1,959 ! 18.95 37,123 1982 : 2,381 : 15.45 : 36,795 1983 : 2,378 : 16.60 : 39,378 1984 : 3,154 : 12.70 : 39,965 1985 ! 3,360 : 13.30 : 44,688 1986 : 3,520 : 14.30 : 50,336 Source: Texas Agricultural Statistics Service, Austin, Texas. .COURTESY: SOUTH TEXAS MELON COMMITTEE 31 Table 3. HONEYDEW MELONS: Acreage and Yield by States, 1984-1986 ; Acreage : Yield State ! Harvested > I 1984 J 1985 : 19Ô6 ! 1984 ! 1985 ; 1986 Acres Cwt. Arizona : 2,000 2,200 2,800 : 155 175 160 California ¡ 16,300 18,500 19,000 170 185 200 Texas 5,000 5,000 7,000 ;: 190 190 170 U. S. 23,300 25,700 28,800 " 173 185 189 Table 4. HONEYDEW MELONS: ProcJuction and Value by States> 1984-1986 Production Total Va lue state ! 1984 1985 1986 ; 1984 1985 1986 1,000 Cwt. 1,000 Do liars Arizona ; 310 385 448 5,890 4,235 5,555 California 2,771 3,423 3,800 ■ 35,469 34,915 41,800 Texas 950 950 1,190 14,535 18,905 21,777 U.S. 4,031 4,758 5,438 55.894 58.055 69.I:í? Source: Vegetables 1986 Summary^ ASB-NASS-USDA^ Washington, D.C. The South Texas melon production area subject to regulation under Marketing Order No. 979 is comprised of the Texas counties of Bee> BrooKs> Cameron, Duval, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Webb, Willacy and Zapata. A small proportion of the crop, usually about five to ten percent, is harvested in late June, July and August. The records of the Committee reveal that 19,377 acres of cantaloupes and 8,086 acres of honeydew melons were planted in the production area during 1987. Shipments from this acreage totaled 2,412,003 cartons of cantaloupes, or 124 cartons per acre, and 1,577,969 cartons of honeydew melons, or 195 cartons per acre. Melon acreage in South Texas historically has been extremely variable, reflecting growers' adjustments to economic conditions and to adverse weather. For example, harvested cantaloupe acreage was 18,000 acres in 1969, but only 4,200 acres in 1960. Since 1977 the harvested cantaloupe acreage has fluctuated from a high of 21,300 acres in 1978 to a low of 14,800 acres in 1981. Although the acreage of honeydew melons in South Texas is much smaller, it has also experienced wide swings. The long run trend for honeydew melons has indicated increasing acreage. Whereas, cantaloupe acreage trended upward to peak in 1978 and 1982. COURTESY: SOUTH TEXAS MELON COMMITTEE 32 The variability mentioned above is readily apparent when one examines the harvested acreage for cantaloupes from 1974 through 1987 and for honeydew .melons from 1974 through 1987 (Table 5D. The cantaloupe acreage harvested ranged from 8/500 acres to 19/277 acres during this 14-year period and averaged 13/506 acres. The harvested acreage of honeydew melons ranged from 2/100 in 1974 to 7/424 acres in 1986 and averaged 4/800 acres during the 14 years. Table 5. SOUTH TEXAS MELONS: Harvested Acreage Averages 1957-61/ 1962-66/ 1967-71 and 1974 to 1987 Period Cantaloupes Honeydew ______Acres _____-_--- 1957-1961 7/340 1/750 1962-66 10/060 1/520 1967-71 12/160 2/500 Year 1974 9/000 2/100 1975 8/500 2,200 .1976 10,400 3/500 1977 10/700 5/100 1978 14/200 4/000 .1979 12,000 6/400 1980 11/700 4/200 1981 11/300 4/000 1982 16/500 4/900 1983 14/300 5/500 1984 13/700 5/000 1985 18/690 5/587 1986 19/277 7/424 1987 18/815 7/285 Sources: Vegetables/ July issue/ USDA-SRS-CRB/ Washington/ P.C.; and Texas Vegetable Statistics, TC&LRS, Austin/ Texas. In recent years South Texas has produced an average of about 2/310/000 cwt. of cantaloupes and 755/000 cwt. of honeydew melons. On an annual basis, this represents about 21.9 percent of the total U. S. honeydew market (Tables 6 and 7). COURTESY: SOUTH TEXAS MELON COMMITTEE 33 Table 6. CANTALOUPES: Texas Spring Production as Percent of U. S. Spring and U. S* Annual Totals^ 1978-84 Produc ti on Texas Spring as % of Calendar . ; Spi ring Annual U. S. Annual Year • U.S. Total Spring Total ; Texas • Total U.S. Total U.S. 1,000 Cwt. Percent 1978 1,633 4,657 13,318 35.1 12.3 1979 1,620 3,654 12,421 44.3 13.0 1980 1,521 3,026 12,242 50.3 12.4 1981 1,469 4,074 13,346 36.1 11.0 1982 1,136 3,035 12,326 37.4 9.2 1963 1,825 4,232 12,988 43.1 14.1 1984 2,130 5,126 13,179 41.5 16.2 1985 N.A. Source: J»/egetabl es , Annuail Summary, USDA-■ SRS-CRB, Wash ington. D.C. 1982 through 1984 figures estimated from Market News shipment data. Table 7. HONEYDEW MELONS: Texas Spring Production as Percent of U. S. Spring and U. S. Annual Totals^ 1978-86 Production Texas Spring as % of Calendar î Sprinq I Annual ! u. s. Annual • Year : U . s. : Total : Spring Total Texas Total : U.S. : Total U.S. 1,000 Cwt. Percent •• 1978 : 600 600 3,413 ; 100.0 17.6 1979 ; 800 800 3,477 100.0 23.0 1980 : 672 672 3,180 100.0 21.1 1981 : 680 680 3,419 : 100.0 20.0 1982 ; 784 784 3,780 : 100.0 20.7 1983 : 770 770 4,083 : 100.0 18.9 1984 : 950 950 4,031 : 100.0 23.4 1985 : 950 950 4,758 : 100.0 20.0 1986 :i,i90 1 ,190 5,438 100.0 21.9 Source: Vegetables^ Annual Summary^ USDA-SRS-CRB> Washington^ U>ü> 2. Historic Prices and Anticipated Price Impact Melon prices are volatile. U. S. average cantaloupe and honeydew prices> F.O.B. shipping point basis> range widely from season to season in response to changes in supplies. South Texas prices exhibit much the same pattern taking into consideration the smaller supplies normally available during the South Texas season. An examination of the spring season monthly F.O.B. prices for the past eight years reveals the price volatility which affects the melon industry (Tables 8 and 9). COURTESY: SOUTH TEXAS MELON COMMITTEE 34 Table 8. TEXAS SPRING CANTALOUPES: F.O.B. Prices Received By Months, 1978-86 """ " Quarter Year May June July Average ^ Dollars per Cwt. 1978 13.30 6.70 11.40 9.30 1979 14.50 13.90 10.70 14.10 1980 21.70 14.80 16.70 16.60 1981 21.80 17.40 21.80 19.10 1982 26.80 14.60 14.70 15.90 1983 19.50 16.80 13.40 17.40 1984 14.10 12.90 10.10 13.50 1985 15.40 12.60 8.42 16.80 1986 15.70 11.40 9.12 12.07 source: lexas vegVegetable Statistics^ lexas Agricultural Statistics Service, Austin, TX. Table 9. TEXAS SPRING HONEYDEW MELONS: F.O.B. Prices Received by Months, 1978-87 Quarter Year May June July Average Dollars per Cwt. 1978 20.00 13.40 13.70 13.90 1979 14.00 13.50 8.00 13.00 1980 24.60 18.60 20.00 20.40 1981 27.40 21.30 23.40 23.40 1982 33.30 21.10 24.30 24.30 1983 24.40 19.00 20.40 20.40 1984 14.80 15.60 15.30 15.30 1985 20.50 19.40 — 15.30 1986 22.10 12.50 12.50 16.03 1987 61.20 19.30 8.45 29.65 Source: Vegetables 1986 Summary, USDA-NASS-ASB, Washington, D.C. Preliminary - quarter average estimated. Due to the limited size of the South Texas melon industry, reliable grower prices are unobtainable. It is of concern that in 100 percent of the last ten years, the Texas average F.O.B. prices for both cantaloupes and honeydew melons were below Texas parity equivalent prices. COURTESY: SOUTH TEXAS MELON COMMITTEE 35 Table 10. CANTALOUPES, TEXAS: Parity Equivalent Price ^j Compared with Spring Season Average F.O.B. Price, 1978-87— Texas Season Averag< F.O.B. Price as % o^ Texas Average Texas Parity Texas Parity Year F.O.B. Price Equivalent Price Equivalent Price Dollars per Cwt. 1978 9, 30 19.36 48 1979 14, 10 20.64 68 1980 16, 60 22.08 75 1981 19, 10 23.86 80 1982 15, 90 25.44 63 1983 17.40 26.42 66 1984 13.50 28.67 47 1985 16.80 26.16 64 1986 14.50 25.81 56 1987Í/ 14.40 24.47 55 Source: Economic Analysis and Program Review Branch, FV-AMS-USDA, Washington, D.C. 2/ Estimated - based on Market News. 1/Seasonal data not available since 1981; figures include estimates for ~ January-June period. Table 11. HONEYDEW MELONS, Texas: Parity Equivalent Pr ice Compared with Spring Season Average F.O.B. Price 1976-87Í/ Texas Season Averac F.O.B. Price as % c Texas Average Texas Pari ty Texas Parity Year F.O.B. Price Eq uivalent P rice Equivalent Price Do liars per Cwt. 1976 18.40 18. 54 99 1977 14.30 19. 77 72 1978 13.90 21. 04 66 1979 13.00 22.,55 58 1980 20.40 24. ,35 84 1981 23.40 25.,33 92 1982 24.30 26.,67 88 1983 20.40 28.,87 71 1984 15.30 30,.68 50 1985 19.90 32,,12 62 1986 18.30 30,.30 60 19871/ 22.70 29, .82 76 Source: Economic Analysis and Program Review Branch, FV-AMS-USDA Washington D. C. 2/ Estimated - based on Market News. 1/Seasonal data not "available since 1981; figures include estimates "" for January-June period. COURTESY: SOUTH TEXAS MELON COMMITTEE 36 An approximation of the farm level impact of a regulation prohibiting the sale of cull melons in normal trade channels was derived by the Vegetable Branchy FV^ AMS> USDA> Washington, D»C.> from estimates of the quantities normally involved and usual differences in shipping point prices for melons packed in cartons versus those sold as culls. Based on testimony presented at the public hearing for this Order, growers* gross returns for graded and packaged cantaloupes averaged six to seven cents per pound compared with one cent or less for bulked melons. Eliminating the shipments of the bulk melons should increase slightly the shipments of graded and packaged melons and increase returns to growers. Because of the variety and complexity of the variables involved, the Vegetable Branch recognized that any projection of the melon program's impact at retail is subject to considerable uncertainty. Recognizing this, the potential impact on cantaloupe prices at retail level is relatively small. The price impact for cantaloupes is estimated, at most, to be one cent per pound where retail prices range from 30 to 40 cents per pound. Since cantaloupes represent about 80 percent of the melon market, the average impact on consumer expenditures for all melons may be at most 1.2 to 1.3 cents per pound. 3• Consumption In 1981, the most recent data available, cantaloupes had a per capita consumption of 8.5 pounds and ranked as the sixth most popular fresh vegetable behind potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and cabbage. Table 12 reflects the consumption trend of cantaloupes on a per capita basis in the United States from 1973 to 1981. Table 12. U. S. CANTALOUPES AND HONEYDEWS: Per Capita Consumption, Farm Weight, 1973-85 Year Cantaloupes Honeydews ~ " ~ Pounds 1973 6.1 ^-2 1974 5.3 1-1 1975 5.2 1-1 1976 5.2 1-1 1977 5.7 1.1 1978 6.8 1.6 1979 6.4 1.6 1980 5.2 1.5 1981 6.2 1.6 1982 NA 1 . Ö 1983 NA 1.9 1984 NA 1.8 1985 NA 2.1 Source: Food Consumption, Pr ices and bxpenditures, l^öt>. UbUA-bKb, Sta-tisiical Bulletin Number 74^. We have assumed that the per capita consumption rate of cantaloupes for 1986 will be about 7.8 pounds—1973 through 1981 average. COURTESY: SOUTH TEXAS MELON COMMITTEE 37 4. Current Supply Ca) StocKs Melons are one of the most perishable of the commercially shipped vegetables. The perishable nature of the product precludes storage for any significant period. Most melons must be shipped and consumed within a very short time of harvest. Cb) Production The principal cantaloupe varieties are the Perlita and TAM-Uvalde. Others are the Dulce and the PMR 45. Honeydew melons consist mostly of the Greenflesh honeydew and the TAM-Dew. There are no industry statistics on grades and sizes because these criteria have not been regulated; however^ extreme weather fluctuations result in variation of quality. CcD Imports Table 13 reveals that during the seven year period from 1980 to 1986 approximately 91 percent of all cantaloupes imported into the U. S. originated in Mexico. This table also reveals that during this same period from 38 to 85 percent of "other melons" imported into the U. S. originated in Mexico. Most of the imported melons arrive from Mexico during the months of February through May. These imports usually peak in March through May with approximately 77 percent of the cantaloupes and 57 percent of the "other melons" arriving during those months (Table 13). 5. Ca) Current Demand It is estimated that the U. S. civilian population is expected to increase from an estimated 241.7 million in July> 1987> to 243.9 million in July 1988/ an increase of 2.2 million or .93 percent. Given prevailing price levels> the projected increase in population^ and the assumed per capita consumption of 8.5 pounds> the projected quantity of melons demanded for the increase in the total U. S. civilian population will be approximately 17>160,000 pounds^ or 429,000 cartons> a rather modest amount. It is noted that it is not unusual for year-to-year fluctuations in production in South Texas to exceed that amount. Thus^ increases of this magnitude are easily attainable (Tables 2 and 63» COURTESY: SOUTH TEXAS MELON COMMITTEE 38 Table 13. CANTALOUPES AND OTHER MELONS: Imports into the United States, Calendar years 1980-1986 and 1985 thru 1987 imports from Mexico by Months Cantaloupes Other Melons (excl, watermelons) Calendar Year t t Other : I Other : : Mexico ; Countries ; Total Mexico ; Countries ; Total 1 ,000 Cwt • 1980 1,661 38 1,699 305 145 450 1981 1,357 23 1,380 330 202 532 1982 1,777 48 1,825 1 ,277 231 1,508 1983 1,536 125 1 ,661 699 284 983 1984 2,198 269 2,467 445 545 990 1985 1,990 525 2,515 545 898 1,443 1986 2,599 556 3,155 546 389 935 ... ^ Imports from Mexico; Cantaloupes (excK watermelons) : : s : : : : s : : : : : ; Jan> : Feb> : Mar> : Apr> : May : June :July Aug> ; Sept>; Oct>; Nov>: Dec» ; Total o i o 1985 91.16 265.61 308.25 595.67 540.00 88.36 32.96 1.70 0.31 ~ 1.20 54.00 1,990.02 Lu 1986 217.00 141.00 455.00 1339.00 283.00 58.00 — — — 14.00 18.00 74.00 2.599.00 z: 1987 145.00 226.10 235.90 540.8 739.23 191.4 >70 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A < Imports from Mexico: Other Melons (excl. watermelons) X 1985 35.23 89.35 73.11 107.12 84.64 20.13 68.28 — 17.00 13.00 37.00 544.86 o in 1986 59.00 47.00 87.00 149.00 113.00 10.00 N/A N/A N/A N/A 546.00 >- 1987 150.20 67.40 49.60 163.80 202.30 20.10 7.70 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Source: U.S. Imports. Fruits and Vegetables, and Foreign Agricultural Circular. FAS. USDA. Washington. D. C. O Ü Cb3 Export Demand Nearly every handler exports some melons to Canada. There is no readily available data on these shipments. CcD Primary Use The primary use for melons is -For the fresh market. Cd) Secondary Use A very small quantity of melons are utilized as frozen melon balls. Other than that> there are no recognized secondary uses of melons for human consumption. However/ culled melons are used as livestock feed and spread on fields to improve soil conditions. 6. Proportion of Crop Affected by Action It is anticipated that approximately 99 percent of the South Texas spring cantaloupes and honeydew melons will be subject to regulation. A very small portion will probably be exempt as specified for charitable or experimental purposes. Further^ small quantities may be handled in lots of 120 pounds per day or less> and thus be exempt from regulations. In addition^ melons other than cantaloupes and honeydews are not regulated. 7. Impact on Supply^ Demand and Utilization A primary function of the proposed action is to assure the produce industry and ultimately the consumer of an acceptable product. A USDA study of comparative methods of handling watermelons indicated that all losses due to rough handling from fields to retail stores amounted to 11.3 percent for bulK shipments. This compared with insignificant losses (about .2 percent) when similar quality melons were packed in cartons and shipped palletized. Cantaloupes tend to damage easier than watermelons and culls have an even greater potential for spoilage. Thus^ the importance of containers is self-evident and should result in less loss in marketing. 8. Geographic Considerations An analysis of cantaloupe unloads originating in South Texas indicates widespread geographic distribution. It reveals that markets located in the southeastern geographic area of the United States are the major markets for Texas cantaloupes. Markets in the midwestern area of the U. S. rank in second place. COURTESY: SOUTH TEXAS MELON COMMITTEE 40 9. Other Economic Effects The regulatory actions proposed by the Committee will have no foreseeable adverse effects on productivity^ competition^ or market structure and performance. Similarly^ there is little likelihood that the actions will impair foreign trade prospects or create an environment for significant product substitution effects. 10. Economic Trends Ta ble 14. Tre¡nd and Level of Persona 1 Income and Dispoi sit ion for Food Food Personal Ex penditures Disposable Consumption as Percentage Personal Personal Expend itures of Disposable Year Quarter Income Income for Food Tnrnm*» _' CBi liions of Do liars, Seasonall y Adjusted at Annual Rates) 1985 Annual 3,314.5 2,828.0 433.4 15.33 1986 do 3,485.7 2,971.8 440.5 14.82 ^ 1986 I 3,432.6 2,935.1 441.1 15.03 II 3,483.3 2,978.5 444.2 14.91 III 3,498.8 2,979.9 437.9 14.70 1 IV 3,527.9 2,993.0 438.7 14.66 1987 I 3,587.9 3,054.9 441.9 14.47 Source: Survey of Current Business, June 1987, Page 7, Tabl es 2 .1 and 2.3 ^Computed by South Texas Melon Committee. 11. Determinations The Committee has considered that the October U. S. parity price for cantaloupes was $24.47 per cwt. and for honeydew melons was $29.82 per cwt and may likely continue at approximately those levels during the coming season. It is too early to accurately predict prices for the 1988 South Texas melon crop. However^ with indicated plantings of 20,000 acres of cantaloupes and 8,000 acres of honeydew melons^ production should be ample to meet market needs. Therefore^ after careful consideration of all of the foregoing information, it is the judgment of the Committee that the estimated season average price for the 1988 South Texas melon season will not exceed parity. COURTESY: SOUTH TEXAS MELON COMMITTEE 41 After due consideration of the above data and preliminary information ^ available to the Committee> it is the Committee's determination that there will be approximately 20,000 ^acres of cantaloupes and 8,000 acres of honeydew melons for harvest in South Texas» It is further determined that with normal cantaloupe yields of 300 cartons and honeydew yields of 400 cartons per acre> it is reasonable to expect cantaloupe shipments of 6,000,000 cartons and honeydew melon shipments ^'^ 3,200,000 cartons. 12. Summary and Alternative Considerations South Texas melon marketing usually begins in May and continues into June. They compete mainly with imports from Mexico and domestic supplies from California and Arizona. During its approximate eight-weeK spring shipping season/ Texas accounts for approximately 30 to 50 percent of U. S. cantaloupe supplies. Traditionally^ about 20 percent of the South Texas production had been shipped in bulk form and were either packinghouse culls or fieldrun melons. This caused much of the U. S. produce industry to view South Texas melons as junk and discounted them accordingly. Adverse weather conditions^ which cannot be controlled^ affect product quality. However^ the minimization of this effect and improved quality for consumers are the major objectives of the Committee's proposed actions. » The alternative of no regulation would resume the chaotic marketing conditions that put South Texas out of step with the produce industry. Such^ would put South Texas at a substantial disadvantage with other production areas by perpetuating Texas* poor fresh produce image. The latest projections available are for the 1984-85 season^ prepared by Dr. Tom Jones/ Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Indications at that time were that the South Texas melon growers needed to average $5.60 per carton or $14.00 per cwt. for cantaloupes and $4.93 per carton or $16.42 per cwt. for honeydew melons> just to break even! It should be noted that Dr. Jones prepared these budgets in the late spring of 1984 using the then current prices. Any action which would have a deteriorating effect upon South Texas melon prices would result in dire economic consequences for growers and ultimately for shippers as well and result in higher prices for consumers in the long-run. COURTESY: SOUTH TEXAS MELON COMMITTEE 42