Smaller Winter Potato Crop

WASHINGTON - Jan 12/07 - SNS -- Winter potato production in the United States is expected to reach 2.88 million cwt (100 pound units) in 2007, according to the USDA latest crop report, while the 2006 spring potato crop ended up smaller than initially expected.

Florida's winter potato estimates were combined with their spring potato estimates for the 2007 crop, which leaves California as the only winter potato estimating State. California production is expected to be down 8% from last year and 18% from 2005.

Harvested area in California is forecast at 11,500 acres, down 4% from 2006, while the average yield is expected to be 250 cwt per acre, 10 cwt below last year. Growers reported an average crop, with yields below last year but similar to 2005. Concerns were raised over a killing frost that occurred after Thanksgiving, but it appeared to have little effect on the crop.

Spring potato production for 2006 is estimated at 19.8 million cwt, down 4% from the May forecast but 6% above 2005. Harvested area totaled 67,500 acres, 3% below the previous forecast but up 1% from a year ago. The average yield of 293 cwt per acre decreased 3 cwt from the May forecast but increased 12 cwt from 2005.

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