Little Change in Fall Potato Estimates

WASHINGTON - Dec 15/05 - SNS -- Production of fall potatoes for 2005 is forecast at 383 million cwt (100 pound units), virtually unchanged from last month but down 7% from last year for comparable States, according to the USDA.

Indiana was dropped from the program in 2005. Area harvested, at 952,300 acres, is up less than 1% from November but 7% below last year. The average yield is forecast at a record high 402 cwt per acre, unchanged from last month but 1 cwt above the previous record set last year.

Western States production is forecast at 268 million cwt, up less than 1% from the November forecast but down 5% from last year. Acreage harvested, at 600,400 acres, decreased 7% from last year but the average yield of 446 cwt per acre is up 8 cwt from 2004.

Central States production is forecast at 90.1 million cwt, down less than 1% from the November forecast and 10% below last year for comparable States. Harvested area, estimated at 261,400 acres, is up less than 1% from November but 7% below a year ago for comparable States. Average yields, at 345 cwt per acre, are down 1 cwt from last month and 10 cwt below a year ago.

Eastern States production is forecast at 24.5 million cwt, virtually unchanged from the November forecast but down 12% from last year. Area for harvest totaled 90,500 acres, unchanged from last month but 4% below last year. Average yield, at 271 cwt per acre, is unchanged from November but 23 cwt below last season.