Potato Stocks Ahead of 2003

WASHINGTON - Mar 15/04 - SNS -- Potato stocks maintained their recent upward trend, with March opening with 167 million cwt (100 pound units) of potatoes in storage in the 15 major producing states, up 1% from last year and 5% above 2002.

Potatoes in storage account for 41% of the 2003 fall storage States' production, unchanged from last year. Disappearance of 237 million cwt from the start of harvest to March 1, is down 2% from the same period last year but 4% above two years ago. Shrink and loss, at 22.6 million cwt, is up 2% from last year and 4% above two years ago.

Processors used 120 million cwt of 2003 crop potatoes so far this season, down 4% from a year ago but 5% above two years ago. February usage of 18.8 million cwt is 1% above last year and 3% above two years ago. Dehydrators used 26.1 million cwt to date, down 7% from last year.

Western States held 114 million cwt of potatoes in storage on March 1, down 6% from last year and 1% below two years ago. Idaho's potato stocks are down 6% from last year, Washington decreased 3%, Colorado's storages held 21% less, and California lost 10%. Oregon's sheds stored 11% more than last year and Montana increased 4%.

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