Hawaii papaya production falls sharply in January, but prices up
Advertiser Staff
Hawai'i papaya production fell sharply in January as growers dealt with the impact of heavy rains and fungal disease on their crops.
Papaya production totaled 2.1 million pounds for the month, down 28 percent from January, and down 25 percent from December 2008, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
"Wet and cool weather continued into early January," NASS said in a news release. "Recovery was slow for plantings exposed to the heavy December rains and soil erosion."
Growers received 46 cents per pound of fresh papaya in December, 8 cents more than in December, and 5 cents more than a year earlier.
