The August grape production forecasts by the California Field Office of the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service are unchanged from last month.

The California Crop Production Report, released Aug. 12, forecasts wine-type variety grape production at 3.30 million tons, unchanged from the July forecast and up 8 percent from the 2008 crop.

Production of table-type grapes, which are now being harvested, is expected to total 850,000 tons, unchanged from the July forecast and down 13 percent from last year.

The 2009 California raisin-type grape crop is shaping up to be an average crop. Results of the Raisin Grape Objective Measurement Survey, conducted in July, indicate that California’s raisin producers are expected to harvest 2.10 million tons. That, too, is unchanged from the July forecast and down 16 percent from 2008. Acreage of bearing age is 221,000.

Funded by the Raisin Administrative Committee, the survey sampled 331 raisin-type variety vineyards during the first three weeks of July.

Cooler, wetter weather early in the summer has led to some mildew problems. While berry size appears to vary greatly, berries per bunch are reported to be down. In fact, the survey reported bunches per vine totaling 32, compared to 40.6 recorded in 2008.

Weather has been favorable thus far in the growing season and vines look good. The raisin crop is ahead and maturing nicely; quality appears to be better than 2008.