Purpose

The New York Agricultural Statistics Service, in conjunction with the Empire State Potato Growers, Inc., expanded the scope of it's 2004 Potato Acreage and Disposition Survey. The goal was to gather more information about the state's potato industry that would provide a clearer image of what is grown and where it goes, and offer more insight into current markets and potential opportunities.

Results

Respondents were asked to check each type of producer that applied. Everyone responding was a grower since only known growers were surveyed. In addition to being a grower 72.3 percent were also packers, 2.4 percent were repackers, 34.9 percent were shippers, and 1.2 percent were brokers Many producers checked multiple types.

Producers recorded the percent of their sales by how the potatoes were sold, in bags, boxes or bulk.

By far the most common size package for sales of potatoes was the 50 lb. Bag. Nearly 64 percent of the producers reported selling potatoes in that size container. Sales in 50 lb. Bags accounted for 21.1 percent of the total potatoes sold in 2003. Almost half the total potato sales were sold bulk by 38.6 percent of the growers. Nearly 40 percent of the growers sold potatoes in 10 lb. Bags, but these sales accounted for only 8 percent of total sales.

Producers recorded the percent of their total sales sold to each type of buyer. Percentages had to add to 100, no duplication among types of buyers was possible.

Most New York potatoes were sold to brokers. Almost half the producers reported selling potatoes to brokers. This sales method accounted for over half of the total potatoes sold. Direct to consumers sales was reported by 38.6 percent of the growers but accounted for only 8.3 percent of the total sales. Retail outlets were reported by 43.4 percent of the growers with sales accounting for 23.8 percent of the total.

Producers recorded the percentage of their total sales that was sold in each locality. The sum of the percentages had to equal 100, so there was no duplication among locations.

Almost all New York potatoes were sold local, in New York, or on the East Coast. Local sales accounted for 13.6 percent of total sales; New York, 15.7 percent; and East Coast 68.1 percent for a total of 97.4 percent of total sales going to these three locations. Local sales were reported by 42.2 percent of the producers; New York by 41 percent and East Coast by 61.4 percent. Only 2.4 percent of New York grown potatoes were exported.

Producers were asked to record their 2004 acreage by type of potatoes. Round whites were by far the most common with 86.7 percent of the respondents planting this type. The acreage these respondents reported for round whites accounted for 61.9 percent of the total acreage for all types. Over half the producers reported planting reds, but the acreage for this type was only 7.7 percent of the total. This shows a lot of producers plant reds, but in small acreages. Russets were planted by only 8.4 percent of the producers with their acreage accounting for less than one percent of the total. Yellows were like reds with 39.8 percent of the growers planting them but their acreage only totaling 4.8 percent of the acreage for all types. Specialty potatoes were grown by 6 percent of the producers and accounted for only .3 percent of the total. Processing/chip potatoes were grown by only 13.3 percent of the growers but accounted for 24.4 percent of the acreage. Fewer producers plant this type but in larger acreages.

Growers recorded acreage by variety for potatoes to be planted for the 2004 crop. The varieties were summarized by red, yellow, russet, and white varieties. Survey responses showed 82 percent of the acreage to be planted would be white varieties, 6 percent would be yellow varieties, 8 percent red varieties, 2 percent russet varieties, and 2 percent were unknown varieties. Of the white varieties recorded, Snowden was the most common. This variety accounted for 25 percent of all white varieties. Reba accounted for 16 percent of the white variety acreage, Andover had 9 percent and Atlantic also had 9 percent. Yukon Gold was the most popular yellow variety accounting for 74 percent of the total yellow acreage. Norland accounted for 18 percent of all red varieties.

Procedures

All known potato growers with ten or more acres of potatoes were mailed a questionnaire. Producers that did not return this questionnaire were telephoned for the information. A longer than usual telephoning period resulted in an excellent response. Eighty-three usable reports for this survey accounted for 76 percent of the 2003 potato production estimate and 68 percent of June 2004 plantings estimate..