Potato Stocks Pull 1% Ahead of Last Year

WASHINGTON - Jan 15/04 - SNS -- Supplies of potatoes in the United States started the year 1% above the previous year at 234 million cwt (100 pound units) in the 15 major producing states, according to the latest USDA data.

Potatoes in storage account for 58% of the 2003 fall storage States' production, up 1%age point from last year. Stocks by type were 3% red, 12% round white, 3% long white (Shepody), and 82% russet, with more round whites and fewer russets than a year ago.

Disappearance of 170 million cwt from the start of harvest to January 1, is down 3% from the same period last year but 5% above two years ago. Shrink and loss, at 17.4 million cwt, is down 4% from last year but 1% above two years ago.

Processors used 86.8 million cwt of 2003 crop potatoes so far this season, down 6% from a year ago but 8% above two years ago. December usage of 15.7 million cut is 1% above last year and 7% above two years ago. Dehydrators used 18.4 million cwt to date, down 6% from last year.

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