Smaller Sweet Potato Area Planned

WASHINGTON - Mar 30/07 - SNS --U.S. growers intend to plant 92,900 acres of sweet potatoes in 2007, down 3% from last year but 2% above 2005, according to the USDA's seeding intentions estimates for 2007.

This intended decline in planted acreage is being influenced by dry conditions in several States. Intentions in North Carolina, New Jersey, and Virginia are unchanged from last year's final planted acreages.

Growers in North Carolina are optimistic following a good crop last year. In South Carolina, planted acreage is expected to decline 25% from 2006.

Growers in most Gulf Coast States plan to cut back their acreage due to drought and economic pressure caused by the poor crop in 2006. Acreage is expected to be down 6% in Mississippi, 11% in Louisiana, and 18% in Texas. Growers in Alabama intend to plant 4% more acres than last year.

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