FRUIT AND VEGETABLE HIGHLIGHTS 



CRANBERRIES : 



Massachusetts cranberry growers produced a record crop in 1982, totaling 1.278 million barrels. Production 

 surpassed 1981 levels by 9 percent, and 1980's record crop by 8 percent. Excellent growing conditions con- 

 tributed to the highest yield ever, with growers harvesting 114.1 barrels to the acre. 



APPLES : 



Good growing conditions also favored the apple producers in 1982. Adequate moisture and cool temperatures 

 produced a medium to large sized fruit with good color. Commercial apple production of 2.4 million 42-pound 

 units surpassed last year's freeze-reduced crop by 20 percent. 



Massachusetts apples rank 13th in the Nation for 1982 production. The crop is valued at $17.3 million, 

 5 percent above a year ago and 19 percent above 1980. 



PEACHES: 



Favorable growing conditions helped the peach crop rebound from last year's poor season. Production in 1982 

 totaled 31,250 48-pound units, nearly 8 times larger than the 1981 crop. The state's 1982 peach crop is 

 valued at $675,000, averaging 45 cents per pound. 



POTATOES : 



Potato production in the Commonwealth totaled 735,000 cwt. in 1982. Although growers harvested 6 percent 

 more acreage in 1982, low yields kept output 1 percent below 1981 production. The crop is valued at $2.9 

 million, 29 percent lower than the previous year, and the lowest value of production since 1972. 



VEGETABLES : 



Commercial vegetable growers in the Commonwealth produced 678,000 cwt. of sweet corn and 145,000 cwt. of 

 tomatoes for sale as fresh produce in 1982. Sweet corn production was 9 percent less, and tomato production 

 was 11 percent less than last year. The value of these two commodities was $13.8 million in 1982, 15 per- 

 cent more than the value last year. Higher prices for both commodities caused the increase in value. A 

 cool, wet June got both crops off to a slow start. 



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