Posted at 12:36 p.m., Friday, January 13, 2006
Papaya production down 17% in 2005
Advertiser Staff
Hawaii's fresh papaya production fell to 28.5 million pounds in 2005, down 17 percent from 2004, according to a release from the National Agricultural Statistics Service's Hawaii Field Office.December fresh papaya output fell 29 percent from the same month a year earlier, largely reflecting an unseasonably dry summer. Harvested area totaled 1,780 acres in December, up 27 percent from a year year earlier.
Large areas are being cleared for replanting in the Puna District on the Big Island, according to the release. Also, growers actively sprayed orchards to control the papaya ringspot virus. Dry weather helped reduce fungal diseases. A heavier harvest is expected for January, according to the release.
Papaya growers were expected to receive an estimated 38 cents per pound for fresh fruit in December, up 2 cents from November and up 4.6 cents from a year earlier.
