United States Onion and Potato Market Trend Report

WASHINGTON - May 11/04 - SNS -- The latest weekly onion and potato market trend report was released by the USDA today.

MAY 1 AND 8, 2004 IN THAT ORDER IN THOUSAND HUNDRED WEIGHT (100,000 LBS)
UNITS.  EXPECTED MOVEMENT IS FOR THE PERIOD MAY 9-22, 2004.  PRICES
ARE FOR MONDAY, MAY 10, 2004 COMPARED WITH MONDAY, MAY 3, 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
   IMPERIAL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA---Shipments 85-286-403---Movement expected to
remain about the same.  Trading Yellow active, others fairly slow.  Prices
lower.  Yellow Grano 50 pound sacks colossal mostly 7.00, jumbo 6.00-7.00,
medium 6.00-7.00.  Red 25 pound sacks jumbo mostly 6.00, medium mostly
4.50-5.00.  White 50 pound sacks jumbo 6.00-8.00, medium 5.00-6.00.
   LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS---Shipments 445-430-319---Movement expected
to decrease as more shippers finish for the season.  Trading fairly slow.
Prices Yellow colossal, White medium and Red generally unchanged, others
lower.  Yellow Grano 50 pound sacks Super colossal 8.00, colossal 7.00,
jumbo mostly 6.00, medium 6.00, repacker size mostly 6.00.  White 50 pound
sacks jumbo mostly 10.00, medium mostly 10.00. Red 25 pound sacks jumbo
mostly 7.00, medium mostly 5.00.
   VIDALIA DISTRICT, GEORGIA---Shipments 169-153-160---Movement expected
to increase slightly.  Trading slow. Prices medium unchanged, others lower.
Yellow Granex type U.S. One 40 pound cartons colossal 10.00-12.00,
jumbo mostly 8.00-9.00, medium mostly 8.00.
   SAN ANTONIO-WINTER GARDEN-LAREDO DISTRICT---Shipments 0-40-55---Movement
expected to increase as more shippers enter into the deal.  Trading fairly
active.  Prices Yellow jumbo and medium generally unchanged, medium lower.
Yellow Grano 50 pound sacks jumbo mostly 7.00, medium 6.00-7.00, repacker
size 7.00.  Red 25 pound sacks jumbo mostly 7.00, medium 5.00-6.00.
Additional rain was received in the growing area over the weekend of May 8.
Some acreage may not be harvested.
   ARIZONA---Shipments 0-0-20---Movement expected to increase as remaining
shippers enter into the deal.  Trading moderate.  Yellow 50 pound
sacks jumbo 6.00, medium 6.00, repacker size 6.00-7.00.  Prices from trade
sources.  No official F.O.B. report will be released due to insufficient
number of shippers involved in the deal. FIRST REPORT.
---POTATOES
   UPPER VALLEY, TWIN FALLS-BURLEY DISTRICT IDAHO---Shipments 602-580-576---
Movement expected to remain about the same.  Trading fairly slow.  Prices
lower.  Russet Burbank U.S. One baled 5 10-pound mesh bags non-size A mostly
2.35-2.50, 50 pound cartons 40-50s 9.00-11.00, 60s mostly 11.00-11.50,
70s 11.00-12.00, 80s mostly 10.00-10.50, 90s mostly 6.00-6.50, 100s mostly
5.00-5.50.  Ninety-three percent of the shipments last week were Russet
Burbank according to the federal Marketing Order Committee.  A two-month
long promotion was launched last week to increase display activity of small
bags at retail.  2004 Crop:  Planting is active.  Many growers in the
Twin Falls-Burley District are currently involved and some have finished
the earliest ever.  Emerged potatoes in Western Idaho are up to 3 inches
high.  Statewide, 66 percent of the crop has been planted with 7 percent
emerged as of May 9th.  This is higher than last years 48 percent planted
and 1 percent emerged according to the Idaho Agricultural Statistics
Service.
   SAN LUIS VALLEY COLORADO---Shipments 408-368-377 (includes exports
16-13-8)---Movement expected to remain about the same.  Trading Russet
cartons moderate, others slow.  Prices Russet cartons 40-70s & 100s higher,
others generally unchanged.  Russet Norkotah Nugget and few Centennial
U.S. One baled 5 10-pound film bags non size A mostly 2.50, 50 pound cartons
40-70s mostly 8.50, 80s mostly 7.00, 90s 5.00-6.00, 100s mostly 5.00,
U.S. Commercial unwashed bulk per hundredweight (cwt) size A 3.75-4.25,
U.S. One Round Red baled 5 10-lb film bags size A 2.50-4.00, Yellow Type
baled 10 5-pound film bags size A 7.00.
   CENTRAL WISCONSIN---Shipments 225-235-230---Movement expected to remain
about the same.  Trading 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.
   COLUMBIA BASIN WASHINGTON & UMATILLA BASIN OREGON---Shipments All
Washington Districts 178-189-197 (includes export 28-29-31)---Shipments
Umatilla Basin, OR 24-33-34 (includes export 4-3-4)---Movement expected
about the same. Trading slow. Prices carton 50s slightly higher, others
generally unchanged. Mostly Russet Norkotah US One 2 inch or 4 ounce
minimum. Baled 5 10-pound filmbags non Size A 2.00-2.25, 10 5-pound filmbags
non Size A 3.00-3.25, 50 pound cartons 40s 6.00-7.00, 50s 7.00-8.00,
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 09 May were 98%, compared to
the 5 year average of 94%. Potatoes emerged were 56%, compared to the 5
year average of 42%.
   NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON---Shipments included above---Movement
expected to decrease. Trading fairly slow. Supplies in too few hands to
establish a market. Remaining sheds anticipate running 1-2 more weeks.
LAST REPORT.
   CENTRAL AND NORTH FLORIDA---Shipments 185-172—186---Movement expected to
increase.  Trading moderate. Prices Round Red size B slightly lower, others
generally unchanged.  Round Red U.S. One 50 pound cartons 3/4-1 5/8 inches
20.30.  U.S. One 50 pound sacks size A 8.30, size B 10.30-12.30; Round White
U.S. One 50 pound sacks size A 6.30, size B 5.30.  Quality Good.
   KERN DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA---Shipments 0-39-155---Movement expected to
increase.  Trading fairly slow.  Prices Long White size A generally
unchanged, others lower.  U.S. 50 pound carton One Round Red size A
7.00-8.00, size B 10.00-12.00, Long White size A mostly 10.00, size B
7.00-8.00, Yellow Type size A 12.00, size B 8.00-10.00.
   RED RIVER VALLEY (MINNESOTA-NORTH DAKOTA)---Shipments 72-68-71---Movement
expected to remain about the same.  Trading fairly slow.  Prices generally
unchanged.  U.S. One Round Red 100 pound sack size A mostly 6.00, 50 pound
sacks size B mostly 5.50-6.00, baled 5 10-pound film bag size A mostly 4.25.
Wide range in appearance.
   CENTRAL ARIZONA---Shipments 0-12-68---Movement expected to increase as
more shippers enter into the deal.  Trading fairly active. Prices size A
lower, size B and Creamers slightly lower.  U.S. One Round Red 50 pound
carton size A 9.50-10.00, size B mostly 12.00-12.25, Creamers
3/4 -1 5/8 inches mostly 28.00.
   AROOSTOOK COUNTY MAINE---Shipments 76-69*-40---Movement expected to
decrease seasonally.  Trading slow.  Prices unchanged.  Round White
U.S.One 10 pound open window sacks loose 2 inch minimum mostly .65-.70,
baled 10 5-pound filmbags mostly 4.25-4.75, 2 1/4 inch minimum 5.25-6.00,
Russet Norkotah 2 inch minimum 4.00-4.50.  Wide range in condition.
Shipments from the start of season through April (2.46 million
hundredweight) are 22 percent below the previous season and the smallest
total recorded.  2004 Crop Update: Initial planting and field work
is underway.  *revised
   MICHIGAN---Shipments 29-28-37---Movement expected to decrease as some
growers near completion.  Trading fairly slow.  Prices unchanged.
Round White supplies in too few hands to establish a market, Russet
Norkotah and Goldrush 10 pound filmbags loose .70-.80.
   KLAMATH BASIN (NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND SOUTHERN OREGON)---Shipments
34-32-34---Movement expected about the same. Trading slow. Prices carton
60-90s lower, others generally unchanged. Mostly Russet Norkotah baled
filmbags non-size A 5-10 pound 3.00, 10-5 pound 4.00, 50 pound cartons
40-50s 10.00, 60-70s 10.00-11.00, 80s 8.00-9.00, 90s 7.00-7.50,
100s 6.00-6.50. Quality generally good. Most sheds are running on
partial schedules.
   NEW BRUNSWICK(CROSSINGS THROUGH MAINE POINTS)---Shipments 48-25-*---
Movement expected to decrease.  Trading slow.  Prices 70-80s lower,
others unchanged.  Russet Norkotah U.S.One 2 inch or 4 ounce minimum
baled 10 5-pound filmbags  4.00-4.50, 50-pound cartons 70s mostly
6.00-6.50, 80s 5.50-6.00, 90 and 100s 5.00-5.50.  Most sheds are
working part-time due to poor marketing conditions. 2004 Crop
update:  Initial planting and fieldwork is underway.  *unavailable
---POTATOES FOR PROCESSING
   IDAHO---Open-market trading by processors with growers was fairly
active.  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:  5.00, some 4.75 2 inch minimum, few 5.15 for U.S. Two
Processing Grade 1 5/8 inch minimum.  Most purchases were from
grower-shippers.  Members of the Congressional Potato Caucus and
other industry groups have urged USDA to purchase potatoes or potato
products using the Section 32 Bonus Buy program, according to media
reports.  In fiscal year 2003, USDA, AMS purchased $13 million of
dehydrated potatoes flakes and $24 million of frozen potato products
for domestic food assistance programs, according to information
posted on the Commodity Procurement USDA website.  On May 10th, USDA
issued Invitations to Bid on 14,400 hundredweight of fresh bulk
potatoes for processing (U.S. No. 2 Processing Grade or better).
   CENTRAL AND NORTH FLORIDA---Shipments to Chippers 203-214-367---
Movement expected to increase. Trading slow.  Round White Atlantic
85% or Better U.S. One bulk per hundredweight open market sales
1 7/8 inch minimum 3.50.  Quality good.
   MICHIGAN---Shipments to Chippers 202-201*-174---Movement expected
to decrease slightly as some growers have completed their contracts
for the season.  Trading slow.  Prices unchanged.  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 hundredweight 2.00-2.50.  2004 Crop update:
Planting recently slowed by heavy rains in West and Central regions
of the state.  Some growers fear some replanting could be necessary
if additional rains fall in the next few days.
   MAINE---Shipments to Chippers 56-58*-54---Movement expected to
decrease slightly.  Trading slow.  Most movement on pre-season contract.
Too few open market sales to establish a market.   2004 Crop update:
Initial planting is underway.  *revised
---POTATOES FOR SEED
   IDAHO---Shipments 1182-594-453---Total-to-date 5,460,000 hundredweight
(cwt). Total-to-date last season 6,407,000 cwt.  Final total last season
7,297,000 cwt.
   MINNESOTA-NORTH DAKOTA---Shipments 144-394-247---Total-to-date 1,756,000
hundredweight (cwt).  Total-to-date last season 1,578,000 cwt.  Final
total last season 2,001,000 cwt.
   MONTANA---Shipments 330-215-231---Total-to-date 2,272,000 hundredweight
(cwt).  Total-to-date last season 2,244,000 cwt.  Final total last season
2,372,000 cwt.
   WISCONSIN---Shipments 72-97-unavailable---Total-to-date 1,212,000
hundredweight (cwt). Total-to-date last season 1,408,000 cwt.  Final total
last season 1,439,000 cwt.
   COLORADO---Shipments 55-29-18---Total-to-date 1,020,000 hundredweight
(cwt), Total-to-date last season 1,120,000 cwt.  Final total last season
1,163,000 cwt.
   MAINE---Shipments 85-70-*---Movement expected about the same.
Trading very slow.  Current shipments mostly to New York and
Pennsylvania.  Primary varieties include Snowden, Atlantic and other
chipping varieties as well as Round white Reba, Norwis and Superior for
the table market.  Weekly price range of Maine G1 or better Certified US
One size A bulk per hundredweight and prompt delivery unless otherwise
stated.  Prices represent few sales.  Atlantic and Snowden
3.50-4.00, Pike 4.00-4.50.  *unavailable

---

STAT News Service