2005 Potato Harvest Bigger Than Thought

WASHINGTON - Sep 21/06 - SNS -- Potato production in the United States in 2005 ended up at 424 million cwt (100 pound units), 1% higher than thought but 7% below the 2004 crop, according to the USDA's annual report on the crop.

Harvested area, at 1.09 million acres, decreased 7% from a year ago. This is the lowest harvested acres on record since the series began in 1866. The average yield of 390 cwt per acre is down 1 cwt from the record high set in 2004 but 23 cwt above the average yield from the 2003 crop.

Seasonal estimates are carried forward from earlier revisions. Winter potato production in 2005 is 4.89 million cwt, an increase of 2% from 2004. Harvested area, at 19,800 acres, is up 7% from the previous year. The average yield of 247 cwt per acre is down 13 cwt from 2004.

Spring potatoes final estimate for 2005, at 18.7 million cwt, decreased 17% from the previous year. Harvested acres, at 66,700, are down 8% from 2004 and a record low. The average yield of 281 cwt per acre is 33 cwt below the record high set in 2004.

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