Modest Hike in Potato Output

WASHINGTON - Nov 9/07 - SNS -- Total U.S. potato production in 2007 from all four seasons is estimated at 448 million cwt (100 pound units), up 2% from last year, according to the USDA. Harvested area, at 1.13 million acres, increased 1% from a year ago. Yield, averaging 396 cwt per acre, is up 3 cwt from last year's record high.

Production of fall potatoes for 2007 is forecast at 408 million cwt, up 2% from last year. Area harvested, at 997,800 acres, is virtually unchanged from the July estimate but 2% above last year. The average yield is forecast at 409 cwt per acre, up 3 cwt from last year's record high yield.

Western States production is forecast at 288 million cwt, up 6% from last year. Area harvested, at 642,000 acres, increased 4% from last year, and the average yield of 448 cwt per acre is up 5 cwt from 2006. Idaho's yield is forecast at 377 cwt per acre. If realized this would be the second highest yield on record, 9 cwt below the record yield set in 2006. Hot weather during the summer reduced the quality of the crop. Incidences of the Potato Virus Y were more frequent than normal which adversely affected yields.

In Washington, harvest progressed normally this year. The quality of the crop is acceptable but not as good as in previous years. In Colorado, a severe wind storm followed by a late freeze in mid-June damaged plants that were already emerged. The earlier planted crop was slow to recover from the damage, leading to increased yield variability. Oregon's crop progressed at a normal pace with no major problems reported. In California, favorable weather conditions resulted in excellent crop quality and yields.

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