United States Onion and Potato Market Trend Report

WASHINGTON - Feb 25/03 - 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 23 - MARCH 8, 2003.  PRICES ARE FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2003, COMPARED WITH TUESDAY, 
FEBRUARY 18, 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 23-24-25---Movement is expected to remain about the same. Supplies light. 
Trading medium active, others moderate. Prices higher. Wide range in price according to size. 
Yellow Globe Type U.S. One 50 lb sacks medium mostly 6.50, master container 16 3-lb mesh sacks 
small 5.00-6.00, repacker size 6.50-7.00, 2 1/2 inch and up 10.00-11.00, medium 2 1/4 inch 
minimum mostly 9.00-10.00, 2 inch minimum mostly 7.50--8.00, 12 3-lb mesh sacks repacker size 
4.00-4.50. A few more growers have finished for the season.   
   NEW YORK ORANGE COUNTY---Shipments 22-22-18---Movement is expected to decrease as more growers 
finish for the season. Supplies very light. Trading moderate. U.S. One Yellow Globe Type 50 lb 
sacks medium 7.00-7.50, master container 16 3-lb mesh sacks medium 2 1/4 inch minimum 9.00-10.00, 
2 inch minimum 8.00-9.00, Red Globe Type 25 lb sacks supplies insufficient to establish a market.
LAST REPORT FOR RED. 
   NEW YORK WESTERN AND CENTRAL---Shipments 46-41-54---Movement is expected to remain about the 
same. Trading active. Prices higher. Yellow Globe Type U.S. One master container 16 3-lb mesh 
sacks medium 2 1/4 inch minimum mostly 9.50-10.00, 2 inch minimum mostly 8.00-8.50, Red Globe 
Type U.S. One 25 lb sacks jumbo 11.50-12.50, medium 5.50-6.00. Some growers are holding for 
higher prices.  
   ALL COLORADO---Shipments 38-44-27---
   NORTH AND EAST POINTS COLORADO---Movement is expected to continue light for the next 7-10 days 
as most packers have finished packing for the season. Trading active for available supplies. 
Prices higher. Yellow 50 lb sacks colossal mostly 10.00, jumbo mostly 8.50-9.00, medium mostly 
8.00-8.50. LAST REPORT.
   CENTRAL WISCONSIN---Shipments 27-15-16---Movement expected to decrease. Trading active. Prices 
higher. U.S. One Yellow Globe type 50 lb sacks medium 7.75-8.00, master container 16 3-lb mesh 
sacks medium 9.25-9.75.  
   IDAHO AND MALHUER COUNTY, OREGON---Shipments 313-343-381---Movement expected about the same.  
Trading active.  Prices higher.  50 lb sacks U.S. One Yellow Spanish Hybrid Super colossal mostly 
12.00, colossal 11.00-12.00, jumbo mostly 11.00, medium 2 one-fourth inch minimum mostly 8.00-
9.00, Red 25 lb sacks large 14.00-15.00, medium mostly 9.00.  Some growers holding for higher 
prices.  Few small shippers finishing for the season.
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH SOUTH TEXAS---Crossings 12-35-29---Movement expected to increase 
seasonally.  Trading active.  Prices higher.  Yellow Grano Type 50 lb sacks medium mostly 10.00,   
40 lb cartons colossal 18.00, jumbo 16.00, White 50 lb sacks jumbo and medium 24.00-25.00.  
Quality generally good.  
   COLUMBIA BASIN WASHINGTON---Shipments 228-229*-232 (includes export 105-90-92)---Movement 
expected to remain about the same. Trading fairly active. Prices higher. Yellow Hybrid 50 lb 
sacks colossal mostly 11.00, jumbo mostly 10.00-11.00, Export wide range in prices 7.25-11.00, 
Medium mostly 9.00, Red 25 lb sacks jumbo mostly 14.00, medium supplies light 6.00-8.00. 
Additional sheds expect to finish up by end of the week.
---POTATOES
   AROOSTOOK COUNTY MAINE---Shipments 92-*110-109---Movement expected about the same.  Trading 
fairly slow.  Prices 2 inch slightly lower, others generally unchanged.  Round White U.S.One 
10-pound open window loose paper sacks 2 inch minimum mostly .90-.95, baled 10 5-pound film bags 
mostly 5.50-5.75, 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 6.00-6.50.  *revised. 
   MICHIGAN---Shipments 30-42-30---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.    
   NEW BRUNSWICK CANADA (CROSSINGS THROUGH MAINE POINTS)---Shipments 32-*-*---Movement expected 
about the same.  Trading fairly slow.  Prices slightly lower.  Russet Norkotah U.S.One baled 
10 5-pound film bags 2 inch or 4 ounce minimum mostly 5.75-6.00, 5-9 ounce mostly 6.50-6.75.
*unavailable.  
   ALL COLORADO---Shipments 484-445-501---
   SAN LUIS VALLEY COLORADO---Movement is expected to increase slightly. Trading Round Red and 
Russet cartons 40s and 10 oz min slow, 60-80s fairly active, others moderate. Prices cartons  
60-80s sightly higher, 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 mostly 6.50-7.00, 70s mostly 6.50-7.00, 80s 6.00-6.50, 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 230-218-199---Movement expected to remain about the same. 
Trading fairly slow. Prices 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 White size A 50 lb paper sacks mostly 5.00.  
   WYOMING DISTRICT, WYOMING---Shipments 8-7-6---Movement expected to remain about the same.      
   UPPER VALLEY, TWIN FALLS-BURLEY DISTRICT IDAHO---Shipments 616-669-698---Movement expected to 
increase slightly.  Trading fairly active.  Prices higher.  Russet Burbanks and few Norkotahs, 
U.S. One baled 5-10 lb mesh bags non-size A mostly 5.25, 50-lb cartons 40-50s 4.50, 60s mostly 
6.50, 70s 7.00-7.50, 80s mostly 7.00-7.25, 90s mostly 7.00, 100s 7.00.
   NEBRASKA---Shipments 64-65-79----
   RED RIVER VALLEY (MINNESOTA/NORTH DAKOTA)---Shipments 102-107-92---Movement expected about the 
same.  Trading fairly slow.  Prices lower.  Round Red U.S. One 100 lb sacks size A mostly 11.00, 
50 lb paper sacks size B mostly 10.00.  Some reds with poor to fair appearance being sold at 
lower prices.
   SOUTH FLORIDA---Shipments 0-32-53---Movement expected to increase as more growers begin to 
dig and pack.  Trading fairly active.  Prices unchanged. 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.
   COLUMBIA BASIN WASHINGTON AND UMATILLA BASIN OREGON---2002 CROP-Shipments All Washington 
Districts 166-187*-169 (includes export 15-18-20)---Shipments Umatilla Basin, OR 39-20*-19
(includes export 0-1*-4)---Movement expected about the same. Trading baled moderate, others 
fairly slow. Prices carton 40-80s lower, others 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 5.00-6.00, 50s 5.50-6.50, 60s 7.00-7.50, 70-80s mostly 7.50, 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 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 67-68-69---Movement 
expected about the same. Trading carton 40-60s slow, others moderate. Prices carton 40-50s lower, 
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 40s 6.00-7.00, 50s mostly 
6.00-7.00, 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 36-*40-44---Movement expected about the same.  Most movement on pre-season 
contract.  Too few open market sales to establish a market.  *revised.   
   MICHIGAN---Shipments 163-*182-187---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 43-*32-29---Movement expected about the same.  Most 
movement on pre-season contracts.  Too few open market sales to establish a market.  *revised.
   CENTRAL WISCONSIN---Shipments 172-174-149---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 1-2-1---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) 4.00 delivered; French-Fry Quality:  one large lot at pre-season contract price and 
terms (includes shrink and storage payments), one lot 10 oz. min. 5.09 U.S. No. 2 Process Grade 
(includes pre-season contract shrink and storage payments).  Open-market prices paid to shippers 
by processors, Russet Burbank, bulk, per hundredweight for washed Processing (Dehydration) 
Quality 2.50, few higher.
   RED RIVER VALLEY (MINNESOTA-NORTH DAKOTA)---Shipments to Chippers 79-27-26---
   NEBRASKA---Shipments to Chippers 21-24-*---(*unavailable)
---POTATOES FOR SEED
   MAINE---Shipments 47-39-*---Movement expected to increase.  Trading slow for fairly light 
supplies.  Most movement from earlier booked sales.   Current shipments mostly to North Carolina 
and Florida with major varieties mostly Atlantic and other chipping varieties, and Superior for 
the table market.  Trading and movement slowed by winter storm in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic 
regions, with truck shortages reported.  Weekly price range Maine G1 (year five in the field) or 
better Certified Seed USOne 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.  Shipments to 
date down 13 per cent from the previous season.  *unavailable.
   CENTRAL WISCONSIN---Shipments 4-11-53---Movement expected to increase.       
   IDAHO---Certified Seed Shipments 13-9-2---
   RED RIVER VALLEY (MINNESOTA-NORTH DAKOTA)---Certified Seed Shipments 37-23-24---
   NEBRASKA---Certified Seed Shipments 7-1-6---

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STAT News Service

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