California fresh-market carrot production came in at 20 million cwt. for each of the last two years, and it is projected to stay at the same level for 2005, according to Jerry Munson of the California Fresh Carrot Advisory Board in Dinuba, CA.

Over the several years prior, the market for fresh carrots had "steadily increased " mostly due to the expanding baby cut-carrot market," according to a Carrot Advisory Board fact sheet.

The California Vegetable Review, published by the California Agricultural Statistics Service, reported that a total of 66,500 acres of carrots were harvested in California for the fresh market in 2004, with an average per-acre yield of 300 cwt. for a total production of 19.95 million cwt. Fresh market carrots " including fresh-cut product " represented 94 percent of California?s total carrot production.

California grows approximately 90 percent of the United States? commercially produced carrot supply, and most of California?s carrots are grown in Kern County. Among the other important producing areas are Imperial County, Riverside County, the Lancaster area, Salinas Valley, the Cuyama Valley and Fresno County.

While carrot production and consumption are relatively stable throughout the year, the figures are somewhat higher during winter and spring than during summer and fall. Typically, about 39,000 acres of carrots are harvested in California during the first six months of the year, and around 29,000 acres are harvested during the last half of the year, according to the California Vegetable Review.

According to the Jan. 31 issue of the review, the California winter carrot crop was "growing well with very few problems. High demand for baby carrots continues."

Much of California?s carrot production during the winter and spring period comes from the state?s southern desert regions. David Ritter of the Imperial County Agricultural Commissioner?s Office said that 15,561 acres of carrots have been planted in the county this year, exactly 1,000 acres less than last year?s 16,561 acres. The harvest dates are December through June, he said.

Andrew Bianchi of Kern Ridge Growers LLC in Bakersfield, CA, said in early March that the company was just finishing its harvest for the season in the Bakersfield area and expected to start harvesting in the Imperial Valley between the middle of March and April 1. Winter rains in the Imperial Valley have not caused problems, he said, as the carrots were planted on schedule before the rains came and rains are not expected to be a concern during the harvest season.

In the Bakersfield area, rain has been more of a problem, at times interfering with both harvesting and planting. "You won?t see any problems from planting until the next Bakersfield season, which will be the summer season," he said. At that time, the planting delays caused by this winter?s rains could result in some minor gaps or dips in production.

?Right now, the quality is very good," Mr. Bianchi said. "The only thing that seems to be lacking right now is a little bit of size. Jumbos are going to seem to be a little bit tight " the next couple of weeks."

However, going into the Imperial Valley season, "quality and volume should be pretty much normal for us," he said.