U.S. Potato Stocks Building

WASHINGTON - Jun 15/04 - SNS -- Potato stocks in the 15 major producing states were up in the United States as of June 1, totalling 47.4 million cwt (100 pound units) for a 3% increase over last year and a 10% increase from 2002.

In releasing the latest stocks data, the USDA noted potatoes in storage account for 12% of the 2003 fall storage States' production, up 1 percentage point from last year.

Disappearance of 357 million cwt of potatoes is down 1% from last year but 4% above two years ago. Shrink and loss, at 29.2 million cwt so far this season, is up 7% from last year and 9% above two years ago. This disappearance and loss includes unmarketable Maine potatoes disposed of through the Natural Resources Conservation Service's Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

Processors used 173 million cwt of 2003 crop potatoes so far this season, down 2% from a year ago but 4% above two years ago. May usage of 19.5 million cwt is 6% above both last year and two years ago. Dehydrators used 39.1 million cwt to date, down 3% from last year.

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