Oct 18, 2004

Winter Potato Production Up 20 Percent

Winter potato production for 2004 has been revised to 4.82 million cwt. – up 38 percent from the April forecast and 20 percent above 2003.

Harvested area of 18,500 acres in the two winter potato states – California and Florida – is 32 percent above the April 1 forecast and 29 percent more than last year. The average yield of 260 cwt. per acre is up 10 cwt. from the April forecast but 22 cwt. below 2003.

California’s production, at 3.25 million cwt., is 23 percent above last season. Florida’s production, at 1.57 million cwt., is up 13 percent from a year ago.