Hawai'i fresh papaya production in July rose 40 percent to an estimated 2.4 million pounds compared with the same month a year ago.

Year-to-date sales for the first seven months of 2007 rose 5 percent to 15.4 million pounds, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Warm summer weather continued in July, encouraging flowering and fruit set. Wild-pig damage and Papaya Ringspot Virus were still affecting some orchards.