Potato Crops Sink Below 2003

WASHINGTON - Apr 8/04 - SNS -- Potato production is not off to a good start for 2004, with the USDA expecting both the winter and spring crops to be down from last year and 2002.

In its latest crop production report, the USDA said this year's winter potato harvest is down 13% from last year, while the spring crop is expected to sink 20%.

Combined winter potato crop in California and Florida is forecast at 3.50 million cwt (100 pounds), 9% below the January forecast and 13% less than last year. Area for harvest, at 14,000 acres, is unchanged from January but down 2% from a year ago. The average yield of 250 cwt per acre is down 24 cwt from January and 32 cwt below a year ago.

Spring production in 2004 is forecast at 19.7 million cwt, down 20% from last year. Area for harvest is estimated at 72,500 acres, 14% below 2003. The average yield is forecast at 271 cwt per acre, down 17 cwt from a year ago.

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