USDA Lowers 2003 Sweet Potato Harvest

WASHINGTON - Jun 10/04 - SNS -- The revised estimate of 2003 crop year sweet potato production is 15.9 million cwt, down less than 1% from the annual estimate made in January but up 24% from 2002, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

This is the largest production of sweet potatoes in the U.S. since 1962, when 17.1 million cwt were produced. Area harvested, at 92,600 acres, is up 200 acres from January and 13% above 2002.

The average yield, at 172 cwt per acre, is unchanged from the January estimate but 16 cwt above 2002. This is the largest yield on record, 10 cwt above the previous record of 162 cwt set in 1994 and equaled in 1997.

The sweet potato crop estimate in California, at 3.21 million cwt, is up 3% from January based on a 3% increase in harvested acres. New Jersey production increased 9% as yields are higher than expected. Alabama production decreased 4% due to a decrease in acres. Texas production is down 12% from January and Virginia is down 44%, due to lower yields.

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