Potato Output Up 2% in 2006

WASHINGTON - Sep 20/07 - SNS -- Total 2006 potato production is estimated at 441 million cwt (100 pound units) in the United States, up 2% from the estimate made in the January Crop Production 2006 Summary and 4% above the 2005 crop, according to the USDA's final estimates for the crop.

Harvested area, at 1.12 million acres, increased 3% from the record low set a year ago. The average yield of 393 cwt per acre is a record high, up 3 cwt from 2005 and 2 cwt above the previous record high set in 2003.

Seasonal estimates are carried forward from earlier revisions. Winter potato production in 2006 is 4.50 million cwt, a decline of 8% from 2005. Harvested area, at 17,500 acres, is down 12% from the previous year. The average yield of 257 cwt per acre is up 10 cwt from 2005.

Spring potatoes final estimate for 2006, at 19.8 million cwt, increased 6% from the previous year. Harvested acres, at 67,500, are up 1% from the record low set in 2005. The average yield of 293 cwt per acre is 12 cwt above the 2005 crop.

Summer potato production is 18.2 million cwt for 2006, up 3% from 2005. Harvested area, at 53,900 acres, is up 5% from the record low set the previous year. The average yield of 337 cwt per acre is 5 cwt below the record high set in 2005.

Fall potatoes are finalized at 399 million cwt for 2006, up 4% from the 2005 crop. Area harvested in 2006 is estimated at 983,000 acres, up 4% from a year earlier. The average yield, at 406 cwt per acre, is a record high, 3 cwt above the previous record high set in 2005.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here