USDA Sees Smaller Winter Potato Crop

WASHINGTON - Jan 12/05 - SNS -- The USDA expects a smaller winter potato harvest than in 2004, but this year's harvest is expected to 16% above the 2003 crop.

Releasing its latest crop production estimates, the USDA said the crop is expected to total 4.66 million cwt (100 pound units).

Harvested acreage in the two winter potato States (California and Florida) is estimated at 19,800 acres, up 7% from 2004, while the average yield is forecast at 235 cwt per acre, 25 cwt below last year. Harvest is underway in California's Kern County and proceeding normally. There have been no reports that the recent cold, wet weather has seriously affected the quality of the potatoes.

In Florida, mostly mild, dry fall weather provided good conditions for planting and crop development. Most acreage escaped damage from the cold, wet weather in late December.

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