United States Onion and Potato Market Trend Report

WASHINGTON - Feb 11/03 - SNS -- The latest weekly onion and potato market trend report was released by the USDA today.

FEBRUARY 1 & 8 2003.  IN THAT ORDER IN THOUSAND HUNDRED WEIGHT (100,000 LBS) UNITS.
EXPECTED MOVEMENT IS FOR THE PERIOD FEBRUARY 9-22, 2003.  PRICES ARE FOR MONDAY,
FEBRUARY 10, 2003 COMPARED WITH MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2003. UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED
SALES ARE F.O.B. SHIPPING POINT BASIS OR PORT OF ENTRY AND EXTRA SERVICES ARE
INCLUDED.




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ONIONS AND POTATOES
---ONIONS, DRY
   IDAHO AND MALHUER COUNTY, OREGON---Shipments 338-303-313---Movement expected
about the same.  Trading fairly active.  Prices higher.  50 lb sacks U.S. One 
Yellow Spanish Hybrid Super colossal 8.00-8.50, colossal 6.00-6.50, jumbo 
mostly 5.00-5.25, medium 2 one-fourth inch minimum mostly 5.00, White large 
14.00, medium 14.00, Red 25 lb sacks large mostly 12.00, medium mostly 6.50.  
LAST REPORT for Whites.  The surge in Washington exports to Japan and Korea 
has largely fueled the recent price increase, along with continuing exports 
from Idaho-Eastern Oregon (including Yellow onions) to Mexico at a time when 
Mexico is traditionally exporting sizeable volume to the U.S.
   COLUMBIA BASIN WASHINGTON---Shipments 215-235-228(includes export 64-92-105)---
Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading fairly active. Prices Jumbo 
Reds unchanged, others higher. Yellow Hybrid 50 lb sacks Colossal 6.00-6.00, Jumbo
5.00-5.50, Export 5.50-6.50, Medium mostly 5.00. Red 25 lb sacks Jumbo mostly 10.00,
Medium supplies light 4.50-5.50. White 50 lb sacks supplies light. Jumbo 14.50-16.00,
Medium 14.00-16.00. Quality generally good. Sales to Asian countries picked up last 
week, especially to Hong Kong.
   ALL COLORADO---Shipments---62-38-38---
   NORTH AND EAST POINTS COLORADO---Movement expected about the same. Most packers 
have finished packing for the season. Trading fairly active. Prices slightly 
higher. Yellow 50 lb sacks Colossal 7.50-8.00, Jumbo mostly 6.50-7.00, 
Medium mostly 6.50.
   NEW YORK WESTERN AND CENTRAL---Shipments 49-50-46---Movement expected to 
remain about the same. Trading active for light supplies of jumbo red, slow for 
others. Prices unchanged. Yellow Globe Type U.S. One master container 16 3-lb 
mesh sacks medium 2 1/4 inch minimum 8.50-9.00, 2 inch minimum 7.50-8.00, Red Globe 
Type U.S. One 25 lb sacks jumbo 11.00-12.00, medium mostly 5.00-5.25.  
   MICHIGAN---Shipments 23-28-23---Movement expected to remain about the same.
Trading slow for fairly light supplies. Prices unchanged. Wide range in price 
according to size. Yellow Globe Type U.S. One 50 lb sacks medium 5.50-6.00, master
container 16 3-lb mesh sacks small 5.00-5.50, repacker size 6.00-7.00, 2 1/2 inch 
and up 10.00-10.50, medium 2 1/4 minimum mostly 8.50, 2 inch minimum 7.00-8.00, 
12 3-lb mesh sacks repacker size 4.00-4.50. A few growers have finished for the 
season. Many shippers are now relying on western onions for size.   
   NEW YORK ORANGE COUNTY---Shipments 24-26-22---Movement expected to remain 
about the same. Trading fairly slow for very light supplies of red, light supplies 
of yellow. Prices unchanged. U.S. One Yellow Globe Type 50 lb sacks medium 7.00-8.00,
master container 16 3-lb mesh sacks medium 2 1/4 inch minimum mostly 9.00, 2 inch 
minimum mostly 7.50-8.00, Red Globe Type 25 lb sacks medium mostly 5.00-5.50. 
A few growers have finished for the season.
   PERUVIAN IMPORTS THROUGH VARIOUS EAST COAST PORTS---Shipments 27-30-20---
Movement expected to decrease as most shippers have finished.  Trading 
moderate.  Prices higher on light supplies.  Yellow Granex 40 lb cartons 
jumbo mostly 15.00-16.00, colossal mostly 16.00-17.00.  January shipments of 
381 (400-cwt units) was up 21% from last January’s total of 314.
   CENTRAL WISCONSIN---Shipments---27-27-27---Movement expected to decrease 
slightly. Trading moderate. Prices slightly higher. U.S. One Yellow Globe type
50 lb sacks medium 5.50-6.25, master container 16 3-lb mesh sacks medium 
6.50-7.50.
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH SOUTH TEXAS---Crossings 5-11-12---Movement expected 
to increase seasonally.  Shipments are expected to remain light for another 
week, due to light supplies and a strong market within Mexico.  First F.O.B. 
report is expected to be issued within the next two weeks.  Quality generally good.   
---POTATOES
   UPPER VALLEY, TWIN FALLS-BURLEY DISTRICT IDAHO ---Shipments 752-654-616---
Movement expected to increase slightly.  Trading baled moderate, others fairly 
slow.  Prices carton 70-100s slightly lower, others unchanged.  Russet 
Burbanks & few Norkotahs, U.S. One baled 5-10 lb mesh bags non-size A mostly 
5.00, 50-lb cartons 40-50s mostly 4.00-4.50, 60s 6.00-6.50, 70s mostly 7.00, 
80s mostly 7.00-7.25, 90s mostly 7.00-7.75, 100s mostly 7.00.  Many shippers 
reduced running hours last week to bring supply better in balance with demand.
   ALL COLORADO---Shipments---487-447-484---
   SAN LUIS VALLEY COLORADO---Movement expected about the same. Trading Red 
bales fairly slow, others moderate. Prices Red bales lower, others generally 
unchanged. U.S. One baled 5/10 lb filmbags non size A 4.50-5.00, baled 10/5 lb 
filmbags non size A 5.50-6.00, 50 lb cartons 40s mostly 4.50, 50s 5.50-6.00, 
60s 6.00-6.50, 70s 6.00-6.50, 80s 6.00, 90s 6.00, 100s 6.00, U.S Two 100 lb 
sacks 6.50-7.00, U.S. Commercial bulk per cwt 6.00- 6.50, Round Red U.S. One 
baled 5/10 lb filmbags size A mostly 6.00-6.50, baled 10/5 lb filmbags size A 
mostly 7.00-7.50, 50 lb cartons 2 1/2- 3 1/2 inch 10.00-11.00, 50 lb paper 
sacks size B mostly 11.00, Yellow Type Yukon Gold U.S. One baled 5/10 lb 
filmbags size A mostly 8.00, 10/5 lb filmbags size A mostly 9.00, 
2 1/2-3 1/2 inch mostly 10.00.
   CENTRAL WISCONSIN---Shipments 227-229-230---Movement expected to remain 
about the same. Trading moderate. Prices slightly lower. U.S. One Russet Norkotah
(including few Burbanks) baled 5/10 lb filmbags non size A mostly 5.25. 50 lb 
carton 50-60s 7.25-7.50, 70s mostly 7.50, 80s 6.75-7.50, 90s mostly 6.50, 
100s 6.00-6.50. Round Reds size A 50 lb paper sacks mostly 5.00-5.50, size B 
mostly 9.00-9.50. Round Whites size A 50 lb paper sacks mostly 5.00.  
   COLUMBIA BASIN WASHINGTON & UMATILLA BASIN OREGON---2002 CROP-Shipments All 
Washington Districts 138-173-166(includes export 11-12-15)---Shipments Umatilla 
Basin, OR 3-24-39(includes export 0-1-0)---Movement expected about the same. 
Trading moderate. Prices generally unchanged. U.S. One Russet Norkotah 2 inch or
4 ounce minimum baled filmbags non-size A 5/10 lb mostly 4.00, 10/5 lb mostly 
5.00, 50 lb carton 40s 6.00, 50s 6.00-7.00, 60s 7.00-8.00, 70s 7.50-8.00, 
80s mostly 7.50-8.00, 90s mostly 6.50-7.00, 100s mostly 6.00. Quality 
generally good. 
   NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON---Shipments included above---Movement expected about 
the same. Trading moderate. Prices one inch minimum generally unchanged, others 
slightly lower. U.S. One 50 lb cartons Round Red size A 11.00-12.00, size B 16.00, 
One inch minimum 30.00-32.00. Yukon Gold size A 12.00-14.00, size B 9.00-11.00, 
One inch minimum 30.00. Quality generally good.
   RED RIVER VALLEY (MINNESOTA/NORTH DAKOTA)---Shipments 109-100-102---Movement 
expected about the same.  Trading fairly slow.  Prices generally unchanged.  
Round Red U.S. One 100 lb sacks size A mostly 11.00-11.50, 50 lb paper sacks 
size B mostly 11.00.  Shipments for January 2003 were 509,000 cwt that was down 
9% from January 2002 total of 561,000 cwt.
   AROOSTOOK COUNTY MAINE---Shipments 107-109*-83---Movement expected about the 
same.  Trading slow.  Prices unchanged.  Round White U.S.One 10-pound open window 
loose paper sacks 2-inch minimum mostly .93-1.00, baled 10/5 pound film bags 
5.50-6.00, 2 1/4 inch minimum mostly 6.25-6.50, 10-pound open window lower paper 
sacks mostly 1.10-1.15, Russet Norkotah U.S.One baled 10/5 pound film bags 2 inch 
or 4 ounce minimum mostly 6.50-6.75.  Slight truck shortage reported Monday as 
diesel fuel prices rise.   January movement off by 17 per cent from last January.
*revised  
   NEBRASKA---Shipments 82-69-64----
   KLAMATH BASIN (SOUTHERN OREGON AND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA)---Shipments 48-55-67---
Movement expected about the same. Trading moderate. Prices carton 100s slightly 
higher, others generally unchanged. Mostly Russet Norkotahs 2 inch or 4 ounce 
minimum baled filmbags non-size A 5/10 lb mostly 5.00, 10/5 lb mostly 6.00, 
50 lb carton 40-50s 7.00-8.00, 60-80s mostly 8.00, 90s mostly 7.00, 100s 
6.00-7.00, 10 ounce minimum 7.00. Quality generally good.
   MICHIGAN---Shipments 37-32-30---Movement expected about the same.  Trading 
slow. Prices unchanged.  Russet Norkotah U.S.One 10 pound film bags loose size A 
mostly 1.20-1.25, Round White U.S.One 10-pound open window sacks loose size A 
1.20-1.30. January movement down by 16 per cent from last season and 9 per cent 
from the start of the season.  
   LONG ISLAND NEW YORK---Shipments 25-18-19 (export 2-0-2)---Movement expected to 
decline seasonally as supplies are light and in few hands.  January movement 
increased by nearly 35 per cent from a year ago; however, total-to-date lags by 
4 per cent from last season.  Too few sales to establish a market.  Light shipments 
expected through the month.  LAST REPORT. 
   NEW BRUNSWICK CANADA (CROSSINGS THROUGH MAINE POINTS)---Shipments 24-20-*---
Movement expected about the same.  Trading slow.  Prices unchanged.  Russet Norkotah 
U.S.One baled 10/5 pound film bags 2 inch or 4 ounce minimum mostly 6.00, 5-9 ounce
mostly 7.00.  Diesel fuel prices were on the rise Monday.  *unavailable
   WYOMING DISTRICT, WYOMING---Shipments 5-5-8---Movement expected to remain 
about the same.
   IMPERIAL VALLEY DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA---Crop Update---Light shipments out of 
the area should start the first week of March, and then increase mid-March as 
other shippers start harvesting.  These potatoes are packed and shipped from 
the Kern District.  Cool temperatures past weekend may delay initial start-up.      
---POTATOES FOR PROCESSING
   IDAHO---Open-market trading by processors with growers was active.  
Open-market prices paid to growers for Russet Burbank potatoes, storage-run, 
bulk, per cwt, less dirt, rot and green tare F.O.B. growers storage unless 
otherwise stated:  Direct-to-Dehydration Quality (storage-run) 3.90-4.40 plus 
haul, some 4.50 delivered; French-Fry Quality:  one lot at storage out-weight 
pre-season contract price and terms, one lot 4.75 less dirt, rot and serious 
green tare; Fresh-Pack quality:  one lot 6.00 with 6% pencil tare.  
2003 Crop:  Several major pre-season contract negotiation sessions are 
scheduled in the Northwest this week.  Open-market prices paid to shippers by 
processors, Russet Burbank, bulk, per cwt for washed Processing (Dehydration) 
Quality 2.50, few higher.
   MICHIGAN---Shipments 214-184*-173---Movement expected about the same.  Most 
movement on pre-season contracts.  Too few open market sales to establish a market.
Shipments of 6.17 million cwt slightly ahead of the same period last season of 
6.16 million cwt through January. 
   CENTRAL WISCONSIN---Shipments 206-153-172---Movement expected to remain about 
the same. Most movement on pre-season contracts. Too few open market sales to 
establish a market. 
   MAINE---Shipments 25-41*-40---Movement expected about the same.  Most movement 
on pre-season contracts.  Too few open market sales to establish a market. Shipments
of 1.09 million cwt through January increased by 4 per cent over the same date last 
season 1.04 million cwt.  *revised   
   WESTERN AND CENTRAL NEW YORK---Shipments 42-40-35---Movement expected about the 
same.  Most movement on pre-season contracts.  Too few open market sales to establish
a market. Shipments through January increased 7 per cent from the same period last 
season, although 10 per cent behind the 2000 crop year.
   WYOMING DISTRICT, WYOMING---Shipments 3-3-1---Movement expected to remain 
about the same.    
---POTATOES FOR SEED
   MAINE---Shipments 28-34-*---Movement expected to increase.   Supplies insufficient
to establish a market. Shipments through January are down by 5 per cent from last 
season and nearly the same as the 2000 season.   Recent severe winter weather along 
the Eastern Seaboard and Mid-Atlantic states has slowed some seed movement to date.
Most movement from prior bookings, with minimal open market seed available at this 
time.  *unavailable                                     
   CENTRAL WISCONSIN---Shipments 16-4-4---Movement expected to remain about the 
same.      

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STAT News Service

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