Potato Stocks Up in U.S.

WASHINGTON - Feb 15/05 - SNS -- Potato stocks in the 15 major producing states are up 2% over last year at 204 million cwt (100 pound Units) as of February 1, 2005, according to the latest USDA data.

Potatoes in storage account for 51% of the 2004 fall storage States' production, 1 percentage point above last year. The USDA said stocks by type were 2% red, 11% round white, 2% long white (Shepody), and 85% russets, with a smaller percentage of reds and round whites but a larger percentage of russets than a year ago.

Disappearance of 199 million cwt from the start of harvest to February 1, is down 2% from last year and 4% below two years ago. Shrink and loss, at 22.5 million cwt, is up 10% from both last year and the same date in 2003.

Processors used 101 million cwt of 2004 crop potatoes so far this season, down 1% from a year ago and 6% below two years ago. Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon, processing increased 2% from a year ago, while Washington and the rest of Oregon processing is virtually unchanged from last season. December usage, at 15.0 million cwt, is 5% above last year and up 1% from two years ago. Dehydrating usage accounts for 20.0 million cwt of the total processing, down 9% from last year and 16% below the same date in 2003.

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