U.S. Potato Stocks Up 2%

WASHINGTON - Jan 14/05 - SNS -- The quantity of potatoes on hand in the United States as of January 1 stood at 238 million cwt (100 pound units) in the 15 largest producing states, up 2% from last year and 3% above 2003.

In releasing its estimate, the USDA said the numbers reveal a smaller percentage of reds and round whites but a larger percentage of long whites and russets than a year ago. Stocks by type were 2% red, 11% round white, 4% long white (Shepody), and 83% russets.

Disappearance of 165 million cwt from the start of harvest to January 1, is down 3% from last year and 6% below two years ago. Shrink and loss, at 20.0 million cwt, is up 15% from last year and 10% above the same date in 2003.

Processors used 86.0 million cwt of 2004 crop potatoes so far this season, down 2% from a year ago and 7% below two years ago. Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon, processing increased less than 1% from a year ago, while Washington and the rest of Oregon processed 1% less than last season. December usage, at 15.2 million cwt, is 1% below last year and down 2% from two years ago. Dehydrating usage accounts for 17.0 million cwt of the total processing, down 8% from last year and 13% below the same date in 2003.

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