U.S. market in the November through May period. Furthermore, based upon the information

provided in the Vegetable Summary (FASS, 1993) and the Florida Tomato Committee (1993),

the production areas in Florida which are the main users of methyl bromide generally end their

harvest by June. Thus it was determined that for tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, and

cucumbers, a monthly model that encompassed the November through May period would be

developed.

 Strawberries and watermelons are both exceptions. Florida is the main supplier of

strawberries to the U.S. market in the December through March period (Table D.6). Beginning

in April, large supplies from California enter the market, and the Florida season ends. Thus,

it was determined that the model would encompass the December through March period and

include Florida and California as the two sole suppliers of strawberries.

 Watermelons are produced in Florida using methyl bromide as a second crop following

tomatoes or peppers. Using the shipment data provided by the vegetable summary, Florida

watermelon shipments begin in April and extend through July, however, in April and May

nearly all watermelons shipped from Florida come from southwest and west central Florida.

Beginning in early to mid June, production from central and north central Florida enters the

market. Most of the production from these areas do not utilize methyl bromide. It was

determined that inclusion of June into the model would greatly complicate the analysis, so that

April and May are the two months in which watermelons may be marketed. Florida is the sole

supplier to the U.S. market in these two months.

 An examination of Tables D.1 through D.5 reveals that, for the other crops under

consideration, Florida and Mexico are the primary suppliers to the U.S. market in the November