Potato Stocks Down on Year in U.S.

WASHINGTON - May 16/06 - SNS -- Potato inventories in the 13 major producing States totaled 73.0 million cwt (100 pound units) as of May 1, down 17% from last year and 14% below May 1, 2004, for comparable States, according to the USDA.

Disappearance of 300 million cwt from the start of harvest to May 1, is down 4% from last year for comparable States. Shrink and loss, at 23.2 million cwt, is down 21% from last year for comparable States.

Processors have used 150 million cwt of 2005 crop potatoes so far this season, down 2% from a year ago and 3% below 2 years ago. Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon, total processing decreased 2% from a year ago and Washington and the rest of Oregon total processing dropped 3% from last season. Dehydrating usage accounts for 30.8 million cwt of the total processing, down 8% from last year and 11% below the same date in 2004.

Idaho's potato stocks are down 22% from last year, while Maine's sheds held 8% less than last year, and Colorado's stocks dropped 28% from last season. Stocks in Wisconsin decreased 3% from 2005. North Dakota's potato stocks dropped 61% from last year, while Minnesota's stocks are 47% below last year, and California's potato sheds held 20% less than in 2005.

Montana, Nebraska, and New York's potato stocks combined decreased 18% from last year. Michigan potato stocks are unchanged from the same date in 2005. Washington and Oregon are the only States where potato stocks have increased from the same date in 2005, with stocks up 10% and 28%, respectively.

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