Hawaii’s sugarcane production is forecast to fall slightly this year from 2008, although the yield per acre is expected to rise.

The forecast by the National Agricultural Statistics Service calls for Hawaii to produce 1.46 million tons of sugarcane this year, down 2 percent from the 1.49 million tons produced in 2008. The area harvested is forecast to decline to 21,700 acres, down from 22,800 acres the previous year.
Yield, however, is forecast to rise to 67.2 tons per acre, up 2.6 percent from 65.5 tons per acre in 2008. That is significantly more productive than other sugar-producing states. Production this year is pegged at 38.5 tons per acre in Florida, 35 tons per acre in Texas and 27 tons per acre in Louisiana.
Nationally, sugarcane production is forecast to rise to 29.03 tons this year, up 5.2 percent from 27.60 tons in 2008, according to the NASS.