United States Onion and Potato Market Trend Report

WASHINGTON - Apr 20/04 - SNS -- The latest weekly onion and potato market trend report was released by the USDA today.

AND 17, 2004 IN THAT ORDER IN THOUSAND HUNDRED WEIGHT (100,000 LBS)
UNITS.  EXPECTED MOVEMENT IS FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 18-MAY 1, 2004.  PRICES
ARE FOR MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2004 COMPARED WITH MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2004.
UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED SALES ARE F.O.B. SHIPPING POINT BASIS (INCLUDING
DELIVERED SALES F.O.B. SHIPPING POINT BASIS) OR PORT OF ENTRY AND EXTRA
SERVICES ARE INCLUDED.  PRICES REPRESENT OPEN (SPOT) MARKET SALES BY FIRST
HANDLERS ON PRODUCT OF GENERALLY GOOD QUALITY AND CONDITION UNLESS OTHERWISE
STATED AND MAY INCLUDE PROMOTIONAL ALLOWANCES OR OTHER INCENTIVES.  NO
CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO AFTER-SALE ADJUSTMENTS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.
BROKERAGE FEES PAID BY SHIPPER ARE INCLUDED IN THE PRICE REPORTED.






ONIONS AND POTATOES
---ONIONS, DRY
   LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS---Shipments 166-192-297---Movement expected
to increase slightly.  Trading active.  Prices higher.  Yellow Grano 50 pound
lb sacks super colossal 10.00-12.00, colossal mostly 9.00, jumbo mostly 7.00,
medium 8.00-10.00, repacker size mostly 8.00-9.00, Grano type 40 pound
carton colossal 12.00-14.00, jumbo 10.00-12.00, White 50 pound sacks jumbo
mostly 14.00, medium mostly 12.00, Red 25 pound sacks jumbo mostly 7.00,
medium mostly 6.00.
   MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH SOUTH TEXAS---Shipments 298-209-249---Movement
expected to decrease.  Trading White fairly active, others fairly slow.
Prices White higher, jumbo Red generally unchanged, others lower.  Yellow
Grano type 40 pound carton colossal 12.00-14.00, jumbo 10.00-12.00. Yellow
Grano 50 pound sacks super colossal 10.00-12.00, colossal mostly 9.00,
jumbo mostly 7.00, medium 8.00-10.00, repacker size 8.00-9.00.  White
50 pound sacks jumbo 12.00-14.00, medium mostly 12.00, repacker size
mostly 8.00-10.00.  Red 25 pound sacks jumbo mostly 7.00, medium mostly 6.00.
Shipments last week were approximately 58% Yellow, 8% White and 40% Red.
   VIDALIA DISTRICT, GEORGIA---Shipments 2-26*-98---Movement expected to
increase seasonally. Trading fairly slow.  Prices lower.  Yellow Granex
U.S. One 40 pound cartons jumbo mostly 12.00.  *revised.
   COLUMBIA BASIN WASHINGTON---Shipments 97-74-80 (includes export
18-15-15)---Movement expected to decrease slightly as additional shippers
finish for the season. Trading fairly slow. Prices unchanged, except
medium lower. Yellow Hybrid 50 pound sacks jumbo 6.00-7.00, medium mostly
4.00. Most exports going to: Canada.
   WESTERN AND CENTRAL NEW YORK---Shipments 72-63-59---Movement expected to
decrease as the season continues to wind down. Trading fairly active for light
supplies. Prices unchanged. Yellow Globe type U.S. One 50 pound sacks medium
5.50-6.00, master container 16 3-pound mesh sacks medium 2 1/4 inch minimum
mostly 8.00-8.50, 2 inch minimum 6.50-7.00. Very light planting is underway,
primarily in the Elba, New York area.
   IMPERIAL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA---Shipments 0-0-1---Movement expected to increase
as growers begin harvesting.  Sufficient volume is expected to be release
the initial F.O.B. report by April 23.  Initial quality is variable.
   MICHIGAN---Crop Update---Growers are actively planting in all areas.
Current conditions are indicated to be good.
   ORANGE COUNTY NEW YORK---Crop Update---All growers are actively
planting with most expected to finish by April 24.
---POTATOES
   UPPER VALLEY, TWIN FALLS-BURLEY DISTRICT IDAHO---Shipments 646-691-627---
Movement expected to remain about the same.  Trading slow.  Prices on carton
40-50s slightly lower, carton 80s slightly higher, others generally unchanged.
Russet Burbank and few Norkotah U.S. One baled 5 10-pound mesh bags non-size
A mostly 2.50, 50 pound cartons 40-70s 13.00-13.50, 80s mostly 11.00,
90s mostly 6.75-7.00, 100s 5.50-6.00.  Eighty-eight percent of the shipments
last week were Russet Burbank according to the federal Marketing Order
Committee.  Some sheds were running part-time due to market conditions.
Western Idaho sources indicate that early Russet Norkotah and Norkotah
plantings have emerged.  Several eastern Idaho growers have ventured to
Western Idaho for their first attempt at growing early Russet Norkotah.
   SAN LUIS VALLEY COLORADO---Shipments 456-435-414 (includes exports
21-12-unavailable)---Movement expected to remain about the same.  Trading
moderate.  Prices generally unchanged.  Russet Norkotah and some Russet
Nugget U.S. One baled 5 10-pound film bags non size A mostly 2.50-2.75,
50 pound cartons 40-70s mostly 7.50, 80s mostly 7.00, 90s 5.00-6.00,
100s 5.00-5.50, U.S. Commercial unwashed bulk per hundredweight (cwt)
size A 3.75-4.25, U.S. One Round Red baled 5 10-pound film bags size A
2.75-4.00, Yellow Type baled 10 5-pound film bags size A mostly 7.00.
Planting was hindered during the week of April 11 due to wind storms.
   CENTRAL WISCONSIN---Shipments 265-248-228---Movement expected to remain
about the same.  Trading very slow.  Prices generally unchanged.  U.S. One
Russet Norkotah baled 5 10-pound film bags non-size A mostly 2.75, size A
3.00-3.50, 5-9 ounce 4.25-4.75, 50 pound cartons 50-70s mostly 7.50-8.00,
80s mostly 6.00-6.50, 90s mostly 5.00-5.25, 100s mostly 4.00-4.25.  Many
sheds are running part-time schedules due to market conditions.
   CENTRAL & SOUTH FLORIDA---Shipments 151-144-171---Movement expected to
increase. Trading Round Red Moderate, Round White fairly slow.  Prices
Round Red size A slightly higher, Round Red and Round White size B slightly
lower, others generally unchanged.  Round Red U.S. One 50 pound cartons
3/4-1 5/8" 25.30, U.S. One 50 pound sacks size A mostly 10.30, size B
10.30; Round White U.S. One 50 pound sacks size A 10.30-12.30.  Quality Good.
   COLUMBIA BASIN WASHINGTON & UMATILLA BASIN OREGON---Shipments All Washington
Districts 190-199-164 (includes export 24-18-22)---Shipments Umatilla Basin,
OR 26-27-27 (includes export 3-2-2)---Movement expected about the same. Trading
slow. Prices generally unchanged. Mostly Russet Norkotah US One 2 inch or
4 ounce minimum. Baled 5 10-pound filmbags non Size A 2.00-2.50, 10 5-pound
filmbags non Size A 3.00-3.50, 50 pound cartons 40s mostly 7.00, 50s 7.50-8.00,
60-70s 8.00-8.50, 80s mostly 7.00, 90s 5.50-6.00, 100s 4.50-5.00. Quality
generally good. According to the Washington Agricultural Statistics Service,
potatoes planted for week ending 18th April were 45%, compared to the 5 year
average of 42%.   Potatoes emerged were 20%, compared to the 5 year average
of 13%.
   NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON---Shipments included above---Movement expected to
decrease. Trading slow. Prices slightly lower. U.S. One 50 pound carton Round
Red Size A 7.00-8.00, Size B 13.00-14.00, One inch minimum mostly 27.00-28.00.
Quality generally good.
   RED RIVER VALLEY (MINNESOTA-NORTH DAKOTA)---Shipments 92-85-89---Movement
expected to decrease slightly as more packers finish for the season.  Trading
moderate.  Prices lower.  U.S. One Round Red 100 pound sack size A mostly
5.50-6.00, 50 pound sacks size B mostly 5.50-6.00, baled 5 10-pound film bag
size A mostly 4.00-4.25.
   AROOSTOOK COUNTY MAINE---Shipments 80-80*-74----Movement expected about
the same.  Trading slow.  Prices unchanged.  Round White U.S.One 10 pound
open window sacks loose 2 inch minimum mostly .60-.70, baled 10 5-pound
filmbags mostly 4.25-4.75, 2 1/4 inch minimum 5.00-6.50, Russet Norkotah
2 inch minimum 4.00-4.50.  Wide range in price and condition.
*revised
   IMPERIAL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA---Shipments 50-50-59---Movement expected to
increase.  Unofficial prices for Monday, April 12th, 50-pound cartons
U.S. One size A Long White 14.00, Yellow-flesh 16.00, Round Red 7.00-8.00.
These potatoes are packed and shipped from Kern County.
   KERN DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA---The first shipments of Long White and Round
Red are expected the week of April 25.  The growing season has been
favorable.  FIRST REPORT.
   MICHIGAN---Shipments 40-55-32---Movement expected about the same.
Trading slow.  Prices unchanged.  Round White (supplies in few hands)
U.S. One size A 10-pound open window sacks loose mostly .75-.80,
Russet Norkotah and Goldrush 10 pound filmbags loose .70-.80.
2004 Crop update:  Planting of the summer Onaway crop continues.
   NEW BRUNSWICK(CROSSINGS THROUGH MAINE POINTS)---Shipments 29-36-*---
Movement expected about the same.  Trading cartons fairly slow, baled
slow.  Prices unchanged.  Russet Norkotah U.S.One 2 inch or 4 ounce
minimum baled 10 5-pound filmbags mostly 4.00-4.50, 50-pound cartons
70s 6.50-7.00, 80s 5.75-6.50, 90 and 100s 5.00-5.50.  *unavailable
   KLAMATH BASIN (NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND SOUTHERN OREGON)---Shipments
29-41-27---Movement expected about the same. Trading slow. Prices
generally unchanged. Mostly Russet Norkotah baled filmbags non-size A
5-10 pound 3.00, 10-5 pound mostly 4.00, 50 pound cartons 40-50s mostly
10.00, 60-70s mostly 11.00, 80s 9.00, 90s mostly 7.50, 100s 6.00-6.50.
Quality generally good. Most sheds are running partial schedules.
---POTATOES FOR PROCESSING
   IDAHO---Open-market trading by processors with growers was fairly slow.
Open-market prices paid to growers for Russet Burbank potatoes,
storage-run, bulk, per hundredweight (cwt), less dirt, rot and green tare,
F.O.B. growers storage unless otherwise stated:  French-Fry Quality:
5.50 U.S. No. 2 Process Grade 1 5/8 inch minimum; some contract overage
at contract price.  Amsterdam Potato Futures April 19th $12.76 cwt.
   MICHIGAN---Shipments to Chippers 247-211*-219---Movement expected
about the same.  Trading slow.  Most movement on pre-season contract.
Few open market sales of Round White varieties 85% U.S. One or better of
good chipping quality bulk 1 7/8 inch minimum per cwt mostly 2.50-3.00.
2004 Crop update:  Initial planting is underway in southern St. Joseph
County.  *revised
   CENTRAL FLORIDA---Shipments to Chippers 38-190-192---Movement expected
to increase seasonally.  Trading very slow.  Most movement on pre-season
contract.  Too few open market sales to establish a market. FIRST REPORT.
   NORTH FLORIDA---Initial light is digging expected during the week of
April 18 in the Hastings area.  FIRST REPORT.
   MAINE---Shipments to Chippers 41-47*-44---Movement expected about the
same.  Trading slow.  Most movement on pre-season contract.  Too few
open market sales to establish a market.  *revised
   NEW YORK---Shipments to Chippers 23-28*-28---Movement expected to
decrease slightly.  Trading slow.  Most movement from pre-season
contracts.  Too few open market sales to establish a market.
---POTATOES FOR SEED
   MAINE---Shipments 82-88-*---Movement expected about the same.
Trading slow.  Too few sales to establish a market. Current shipments
mostly to New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan.  Primary varieties
include Atlantic, Snowden, Pike and other chipping varieties, Round
White Reba and Norwis for the table market.  Shipments from start of
season through April 10 total 874,106 hundredweight (cwt) compared to the
previous season to date total of 994,695 cwt, a decrease of 12 per cent.
*unavailable
   IDAHO---Shipments 858-310-1092---Total-to-date 3,232,000 hundredweight
(cwt).  Total-to-date last season 4,363,000 cwt.  Final total last season
7,297,000 cwt.  Seed growers in the Gem Valley near Grace are being
informed that they may have 50 per cent less irrigation water than of a
year ago out of the Bear River System.  Local media reports indicate
officials expect a water emergency to be declared sometime this summer,
resulting in water being shut off to Idaho irrigators in the Grace seed
production area.
   MONTANA---Shipments 292-341-338---Total-to-date 1,496,000 hundredweight
(cwt). Total-to-date last season 1,602,000 cwt.  Final total last season
2,372,000 cwt.
   COLORADO---Shipments 34-112-98---Total-to-date 918,000 hundredweight
(cwt), total-to-date last season 816,000 cwt.  Final total last season
1,163,000 cwt.
   MINNESOTA-NORTH DAKOTA---Shipments 86-42-83---Total-to-date 969,000
hundredweight (cwt). Total-to-date last season 832,000 cwt.  Final total
last season 2,001,000 cwt.
   WISCONSIN---Shipments 53-199-81---Total-to-date 1,043,000 hundredweight
(cwt). Total-to-date last season 1,138,000 cwt.  Final total last season
1,439,000 cwt.

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STAT News Service