FRUIT AND VEGETABLE HIGHLIGHTS 



CRANBERRIES 



Cranberry production of 1,180,000 barrels in 1981 was only 5,000 barrels short of the record 1980 crop. 

 Value of the 1981 crop is estimated at $39.5 million, just slightly less than the 1980 crop's value. 



Bloom was heavy and bees were active during the blooming period, giving a heavy set of fruit. Dry weather 

 during late summer was the main concern as reservoir water levels were low for frost protection and harvest. 

 Rains arrived in time for water harvesting and frost held off until the crop was harvested. Color was good, 

 but berry size was small to medium. 



APPLES AND PEACH ES 



Commercial apple production of nearly 2 million 42-pound units in 1981 was 17 percent less than in 1980. 

 Total value of the 1981 crop, $16.3 million, was 11 percent more than the 1980 crop's value because of higher 

 price. Peach production of 4,000 48-pound units in 1981 was only one-tenth of the preceding year's crop. 

 The total value of the 1981 crop was $70,000. Bud damage from cold during winter and spring was the reason 

 for the smaller apple and peach crops. 



VEGETABLES 



Commercial growers in Massachusetts produced 748,000 cwt. of sweet corn; 222,000 cwt. of cabbage and 163,000 

 cwt. of tomatoes for sale on the fresh produce market in 1981. Sweet corn production was 4 percent above 

 1980; cabbage, 43 percent above; and tomatoes, 14 percent above. The aggregate value of the three commodities 

 of $13.5 million was 24 percent more than the equivalent 1980 value. 



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