More Sweet Potatoes For U.S.

WASHINGTON - Mar 31/06 - SNS -- Sweet potato growers intend to plant 94,200 acres, up 4% from last year but 3% below 2004, according to the USDA.

This intended increase in planted acreage is being influenced by the higher prices received for last year's crop by growers in the major sweet potato States. Four States expect to increase planted acreage from last year, 1 is unchanged, and 4 States expect to decrease acres.

Growers in North Carolina and Mississippi expect to increase planted acres by 8%. In North Carolina, supply of the previous year's crop is low resulting in increased planting intentions. Growers have lined up their plant suppliers and thus far the weather has been good for these suppliers.

Louisiana growers plan to plant 6% more acres than last year. Virginia planting intentions for sweet potatoes are up 25%. Growers in South Carolina expect to plant the same as last year.

Alabama growers expect to decrease sweet potato acres by 7% due to high labor costs and an increase in fuel and fertilizer prices. Growers in New Jersey expect to plant 8% fewer acres than last year due to the poor demand for the 2005 crop.

Planting intentions in California are down 2% from last year. Most growers there have planted their hotbeds and ample rainfall has helped growth. Texas growers plan to decrease acres 41% this year. This decrease is due to drought conditions.

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