Improved Winter Potato Crop

WASHINGTON - Jan 11/08 - SNS -- Winter potato production in the United States is expected to be well up over last year; while the 2007 spring crop ended up better than expected, according to the USDA latest crop report.

California's winter potato production for 2008 is forecast at 2.75 million cwt (100 pound units), up 11% from a year ago but 12% below 2006. Florida's winter potato estimates were combined with their spring potato estimates in 2007, which leaves California as the only winter potato estimating State. Harvested area in California is forecast at 11,000 acres, down 4% from 2007, and average yield is expected to be 250 cwt per acre, 35 cwt above last year. Growers reported that crop quality was very good and yields had improved from last year.

Spring potatoe production for 2007 is estimated at 20.7 million cwt, virtually unchanged from the May forecast but 5% above 2006. Harvested area totaled 70,400 acres, unchanged from the previous forecast but up 4% from a year ago. The average yield of 294 cwt per acre is the same as the May forecast but 1 cwt above 2006.

Florida production is estimated at 7.81 million cwt, up 1% from the May 1 forecast and 21% above the 2006 production. Florida's winter potatoes were combined with spring potatoes in 2007. In California, production increased 1% from last year due to a 1% increase in harvested acres. Cold weather early in the season delayed the crop and some growers did not begin to harvest until June.

Production in Texas increased 3% from 2006 with a record high yield of 320 cwt per acre. The crop benefitted from good growing conditions and high levels of moisture. Growers in North Carolina produced 17% fewer spring potatoes than in the previous year. Dry conditions reduced yield 24 cwt per acre from 2006. Production in Arizona declined 4% from last year due to a 20 cwt per acre drop in average yield.

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