Potato Stocks Remain Above Last Year

WASHINGTON - May 16/05 - SNS -- Potato stocks in the 15 major producing states in then U.S. stood at 87.0 million cwt (100 pound units) as of May 1, 2005, up 2% from last year and 5% above May 1, 2003, according to the USDA.

Disappearance of 316 million cwt from the start of harvest to May 1, is down 1% from last year and 2% below two years ago. Shrink and loss, at 29.0 million cwt, is up 5% from last year and 12% above the same date in 2003.

Processors have used 154 million cwt of 2004 crop potatoes so far this season, down 1% from a year ago and 4% below two years ago. April usage, at 17.8 million cwt, is 7% above last year and up 8% from two years ago. Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon, total processing increased 3% from a year ago, while Washington and the rest of Oregon total processing decreased less than 1% from last season. Dehydrating usage accounts for 31.4 million cwt of the total processing, down 9% from last year and 13% below the same date in 2003.

Western States held 62.9 million cwt of potatoes in storage on May 1, up 6% from last year but less than 1% below two years ago. Idaho's potato stocks are up 17% from last year, Colorado's potato sheds stored 7% more, and Washington's stocks increased 3% from last year. Montana's potato stocks are down 60%, Oregon's sheds hold 38% less than last year, and California's stocks decreased 29% from a year ago.

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