Larger Sweet Potato Crop

WASHINGTON - Jan 12/07 - SNS -- Sweet potatoes output ended up at 16.4 million cwt (100 pound Units) in 2006, up 5% from last season and 2% above 2004, according to the USDA 's final production estimate for 2006.

An increase in yield more than offset the decrease in harvested acres. Growers harvested 87,200 acres, down 1% from last year. Yield per acre, at 189 cwt, is up 11 cwt from the previous record high yield in 2005.

Production increased 26% in Virginia, 24% in Texas, 18% in North Carolina, 14% in California, and 4% in New Jersey. Production declined 20% in Mississippi, 12% in South Carolina, 10% in Louisiana, and 2% in Alabama.

Growing conditions on the east coast were excellent for sweet potatoes. In North Carolina, growers had record high yields. Drought conditions affected the crop in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. In Louisiana, periodic rainfall and irrigation helped relieve the dry conditions, but excessive rain during harvest caused 25% of the acres planted not to be harvested.

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