USDA Leaves Sweet Potato Estimate Unchanged

WASHINGTON - Jun 9/06 - SNS -- Sweet potato production for the 2005 crop year is revised to 15.7 million cwt (100 pound units), virtually unchanged from the annual estimate made in January but down 2% from 2004, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Area harvested, at 88,400 acres, is up 1% from January but down 5% from 2004. The average yield, at 178 cwt per acre, is down 1 cwt from the January estimate but 4 cwt above 2004. This is the largest yield on record, surpassing the previous record high of 174 cwt set in 2004.

The sweet potato estimate in California, at 3.34 million cwt, is down 5% from January based on a 15 cwt per acre decrease in yield. Mississippi production increased 4% due to an increase in acreage.

South Carolina production decreased 5% based on reduced acres. Texas production is up 30% from January due to yields being higher than expected but still below the average. The below average yield is due to drought conditions during the 2005 growing season.

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