United States Onion and Potato Market Trend Report

WASHINGTON - Feb 19/03 - SNS -- The latest weekly onion and potato market trend report was released by the USDA today.

ORDER IN THOUSAND HUNDRED WEIGHT (100,000 LBS) UNITS.  EXPECTED MOVEMENT IS FOR THE PERIOD 
FEBRUARY 16 - MARCH 1, 2003.  PRICES ARE FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2003, COMPARED WITH MONDAY, 
FEBRUARY 10, 2003. UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED SALES ARE F.O.B. SHIPPING POINT BASIS OR PORT OF ENTRY 
AND EXTRA SERVICES ARE INCLUDED.





ONIONS AND POTATOES
---ONIONS, DRY
   MICHIGAN---Shipments 28-23-24---Movement is expected to remain about the same. Trading medium 
moderate, others slow. Prices 16 3-lb repacker size,  2 1/4 inch minimum and 2 1/2 inch and up 
slightly higher, others 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 6.50-7.00, 2 1/2 inch and up 10.00-11.00, medium 2 1/4 inch minimum mostly 9.00, 2 inch 
minimum 7.00-8.00, 12 3-lb mesh sacks repacker size 4.00-4.50. Many shippers are now relying on 
western onions for size.   
   NEW YORK ORANGE COUNTY---Shipments 26-22-22---Movement is expected to decrease due to snow 
storm on Monday, February 17. Trading fairly slow for very light supplies of red, light supplies 
of yellow. Prices 2 1/4 inch minimum higher, others 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 9.00-10.00, 
2 inch minimum mostly 7.50-8.00, Red Globe Type 25 lb sacks medium mostly 5.00-5.50. There were 
no shipments on Monday and only limited movement is expected today. Unofficial sow totals range 
from 24-36 inches with higher drifts. 
   NEW YORK WESTERN AND CENTRAL---Shipments 50-46-41---Movement is expected to remain about the 
same. Trading active for light supplies of jumbo red, others moderate. 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.  
   ALL COLORADO---Shipments---38-38-44---
   NORTH AND EAST POINTS COLORADO---Movement is expected to continue light as most packers have 
finished packing for the season. Trading active. Prices higher. Yellow 50 lb sacks colossal 
mostly 9.00-10.00, jumbo mostly 8.00-8.50, medium mostly 7.50-8.00.
   CENTRAL WISCONSIN---Shipments 27-27-15---Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading 
fairly slow. Prices unchanged.  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. 
   IDAHO AND MALHUER COUNTY, OREGON---Shipments 303-313-343---Movement expected about the same.  
Trading active.  Prices higher.  50 lb sacks U.S. One Yellow Spanish Hybrid Super colossal 
8.50-9.00, colossal mostly 8.00, jumbo mostly 7.00, medium 2 one-fourth inch minimum 6.50-7.00, 
Red 25 lb sacks large mostly 14.00, medium 7.00-8.00.  January shipments were 3,773 
(400-hundredweight units) that was up 5% from last year.  The strong export market in Washington 
continues to fuel higher domestic onion prices.  Few Idaho-Oregon shippers also exporting to 
Japan and Korea.
   PERUVIAN IMPORTS THROUGH VARIOUS EAST COAST PORTS---Shipments 30-20-16---Movement expected to 
decrease as most shippers have finished.  Trading moderate.  Prices higher for light supplies.  
Yellow Granex 40 lb cartons jumbo 15.00-18.00, colossal 15.00.  Light shipments to continue until 
end of March.  LAST REPORT.
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH SOUTH TEXAS---Crossings 11-12-35---Movement expected to increase 
seasonally.  Trading active.  First F.O.B. report expected to be issued this week.  Quality 
generally good.  
   COLUMBIA BASIN WASHINGTON---Shipments 235-228-224 (includes export 92-105-90)---Movement 
expected to remain about the same. Trading fairly active. Prices higher. Yellow Hybrid 50 lb 
sacks colossal 7.50-9.00, jumbo mostly 7.00, Export 6.00-7.00, medium mostly 6.00, Red 25 lb 
sacks jumbo mostly 12.00, medium supplies light 6.00-7.00, White 50 lb sacks remaining supplies 
in too few hands to establish a market.  LAST REPORT ON WHITE.
---POTATOES
   AROOSTOOK COUNTY MAINE---Shipments 109-*92-105---Movement expected to decrease slightly 
current week due to winter storm along East Coast, increase following week.  Trading fairly 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.  Movement and deliveries slowed Tuesday by 
winter storm along East Coast. 
   MICHIGAN---Shipments 32-30-42---Movement expected to decrease slightly.  Trading fairly slow 
for Round whites, slow for Russets.  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.    
   NEW BRUNSWICK CANADA (CROSSINGS THROUGH MAINE POINTS)---Shipments 20-32-*---Movement expected 
about the same.  Trading fairly 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.  Movement and 
deliveries slowed Tuesday due to winter storm along East Coast.
   ALL COLORADO---Shipments 447-484-445---
   SAN LUIS VALLEY COLORADO---Movement is expected about the same. Trading Red baled fairly slow, 
others moderate. Prices Red baled slightly 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 hundredweight mostly 6.25-6.50, Round 
Red U.S. One baled 5 10 lb filmbags size A mostly 6.00, baled 10 5 lb filmbags size A mostly 
7.00, 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 229-230-218---Movement expected to remain about the same. 
Trading fairly slow. Prices cartons slightly lower, others generally unchanged. U.S. One Russet 
Norkotah (including few Burbanks) baled 5 10-lb filmbags non size A mostly 5.25, 50 lb carton 
50-60s 7.00-7.50, 70s 7.00-7.50, 80s 6.50-7.00, 90s 6.00-6.50, 100s mostly 6.00-6.25, 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.  
   WYOMING DISTRICT, WYOMING---Shipments 5-8-7---Movement expected to remain about the same.      
   UPPER VALLEY, TWIN FALLS-BURLEY DISTRICT IDAHO---Shipments 654-616-669---Movement expected to 
increase slightly.  Trading for baled active all week while cartons were about average at both 
beginning and end of the week but slow in the middle of the trading period.  Prices baled higher, 
carton 60, 80 and 90s lower, others unchanged.  Russet Burbanks and few Norkotahs, U.S. One baled 
5-10 lb mesh bags non-size A 5.00-5.25, 50-lb cartons 40-50s 4.00-4.50, 60s mostly 6.00-6.25, 
70s mostly 7.00, 80s 7.00, 90s 7.00, 100s mostly 7.00.  Some marketers believe baled and carton 
demand will be in better balance by end of this week as the heavy retailer promotions finish 
shipping for Potato Lover’s Month.  For shippers with heavy east coast business, trading was 
limited Monday-Tuesday by record snows while others felt little impact.
   NEBRASKA---Shipments 69-64-65---
   RED RIVER VALLEY (MINNESOTA/NORTH DAKOTA)---Shipments 100-102-107---Movement expected about 
the same.  Trading fairly slow.  Prices size B lower, size A generally unchanged.  Round Red 
U.S. One 100 lb sacks size A mostly 11.00-11.50, 50 lb paper sacks size B mostly 10.50-11.00.  
Movement the first part of this week was slowed by the severe winter storms affecting the Eastern 
United States.
   SOUTH FLORIDA---Shipments 0-0-32---Movement expected to increase as more growers begin to dig 
and pack.  Trading fairly active.  Prices Round Red 50 lb sacks size A 10.30, size B 12.30, 
50 lb cartons 3/4 - 1 5/8 inch 30.30; Round White 50 lb sacks size A 20.30.  Quality good. 
FIRST REPORT.
   COLUMBIA BASIN WASHINGTON AND UMATILLA BASIN OREGON---2002 CROP-Shipments All Washington 
Districts 173-166-184 (includes export 12-15-18)---Shipments Umatilla Basin, OR 24-39-17
(includes export 1-0-4)---Movement expected about the same. Trading baled moderate, others fairly 
slow. 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 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 Red one inch minimum and Yukon size A slightly lower, others generally 
unchanged. U.S. One 50 lb cartons Round Red size A 11.00-12.00, size B 16.00, One inch minimum 
30.00, Yukon Gold size A mostly 12.00-13.00, size B 9.00-11.00, One inch minimum 30.00. Quality 
generally good. 
   KLAMATH BASIN (SOUTHERN OREGON AND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA)---Shipments 55-67-68---Movement 
expected about the same. Trading moderate. Prices 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.
---POTATOES FOR PROCESSING
   MAINE---Shipments 41-*36-27---Movement expected about the same.  Most movement on pre-season 
contract.  Too few open market sales to establish a market.  *revised.   
   MICHIGAN---Shipments 184-*163-170---Movement expected about the same.  Most movement on 
pre-season contracts.  Too few open market sales to establish a market.   
   WESTERN AND CENTRAL NEW YORK---Shipments 40-*43-35---Movement expected about the same.  Most 
movement on pre-season contracts.  Too few open market sales to establish a market.  Movement 
and deliveries to plants slowed by Presidents’ Day holiday and winter storm along the East Coast 
Monday and Tuesday.  *revised.
   CENTRAL WISCONSIN---Shipments 153-172-174---Movement expected to remain about the same. Most 
movement on pre-season contract. Too few open market sales to establish a market.     
   WYOMING DISTRICT, WYOMING---Shipments 3-1-2---Movement expected into remain about the same.    
   IDAHO---Open-market trading by processors with growers was active.  Open-market prices paid to 
growers for Russet Burbank potatoes, storage-run, bulk, per hundredweight, less dirt, rot and 
green tare F.O.B. growers storage unless otherwise stated:  Direct-to-Dehydration Quality 
(storage-run) 4.50 delivered plant; French-Fry Quality:  1 5/8 inch minimum 5.00-5.50 U.S. Two 
Processing Grade, 5.00 less dirt, rot and serious green tare.  Stocks on hand in the 9 major 
processing states on Feb. 1st were 2% above a year ago (NASS, USDA).  With current returns from 
the fresh market ranging from $3.75-4.50 per hundredweight according to some private industry 
analysts, this is allowing fryers to purchase open potatoes at lower prices than previous 
purchases.  Supplies of frost-damaged field-run potatoes for dehydration remain ample.  
Open-market prices paid to shippers by processors, Russet Burbank, bulk, per hundredweight for 
washed Processing (Dehydration) Quality 2.50, few higher.
---POTATOES FOR SEED
   MAINE---Shipments 34-47-*---Movement expected to increase.  Trading fairly slow for fairly 
light supplies.  Most movement from earlier booked sales.   Current shipments most to North 
Carolina and Florida with major varieties mostly Atlantic and other chipping varieties.  Weekly 
price range Maine G1 (year five in the field) or better Certified Seed U.S. One size A bulk per 
hundredweight unless otherwise specified.  Atlantics (supplies fairly light)prompt delivery 8.50, 
March-April delivery LaChipper 13.00, Dark Red Norland 12.00, Superior 9.00, Shepody (supplies 
light) April delivery 12.00-13.00.  *unavailable.                                     
   CENTRAL WISCONSIN---Shipments 4-4-11---Movement expected to remain about the same.      
   IDAHO---Certified Seed Shipments 1-13-9---Season-to-date 49,000 hundredweight, last 
season-to-date 156,000 hundredweight.  FIRST REPORT. 
   RED RIVER VALLEY (MINNESOTA-NORTH DAKOTA)---Certified Seed Shipments 17-37-23---FIRST REPORT.
   NEBRASKA---Certified Seed Shipments 6-7-1---FIRST REPORT.

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STAT News Service

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