Potato Stocks Inch Upward

WASHINGTON - Feb 13/04 - SNS -- Potato stocks posted a modest 1% gain in the United States in January, starting February at 201 million cwt (100 pound units) in the 21 major producing states.

Disappearance of 203 million cwt from the start of harvest to February 1, is down 2% from the same period last year but 4% above two years ago. Shrink and loss, at 20.6 million cwt, is up 1% from last year and 5% above two years ago.

Processors used 101 million cwt of 2003 crop potatoes so far this season, down 5% from a year ago but 5% above two years ago. January usage of 14.6 million cwt is 1% below last year and 10% below two years ago. Dehydrators used 22.1 million cwt to date, down 7% from last year.

Western States held 136 million cwt of potatoes in storage on February 1, down 6% from last year and 1% below two years ago. Idaho's potato stocks are down 8% from last year, Washington decreased 1%, Colorado's storages held 20% less, and California lost 17%. Oregon's sheds stored 8% more than last year and Montana increased 3%.

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