NOTE: Stocks are defined as the quantity (whether sold or not) remaining in storage for all purposes and uses, including seed potatoes not yet moved and shrinkage, waste, and other losses that occur after the date of each report. Sales of fall potatoes for all purposes for the past five years averaged 90.8 percent of the total fall production. Shrinkage, loss and home use account for the remaining 9.2 percent. Most seed for use the following year is on hand December 1st, but remains as part of stocks until planted.

Table 2. FALL POTATOES: Production and Stocks, 15 Major States, 1993-2002

New York production of fall potatoes for 2002 is estimated at 5.50 million hundredweight (cwt.), down 7 percent from a year ago.

US production of fall potatoes for 2002 is forecast at 417 million cwt, up less than 1 percent from November and 6 percent above last year. However, this is 11 percent smaller than the record high 2000 crop. Area harvested, at 1.11 million acres, is up 4 percent from last year but 7 percent below two years ago. The average yield is forecast at 374 cwt per acre, 3 cwt above last month and 7 cwt above last year. Production estimates are generally lower this year in Central and Eastern States but higher in the West. Harvest was completed on schedule in nearly all States.

The nine Western States' production is forecast at 293 million cwt, up 11 percent from last year but 11 percent below 2000. Acreage harvested, at 695,800 acres, gained 8 percent from last year, while the average yield of 422 cwt per acre is up 11 cwt. California growers responded with record high yields with adequate irrigation water available in the Tule Lake Basin. Colorado's production rose 31 percent as farmers had sufficient irrigation water to sustain them through the hot, dry summer weather. Idaho's production increased 11 percent from last year as potatoes were able to size up at the end of the season. Production in Oregon was adjusted upward 31 percent from the November forecast with current storage totals and corrections made in objective yield data. Production now stands at 24.9 million cwt, up 20 percent from last year but 19 percent below 2000. Washington's production forecast is down 5 percent from last month but up 1 percent from 2001 despite lower yields. Production in Nevada and New Mexico rose 10 and 12 percent, respectively, from a year ago. Montana's production is down 3 percent and Utah is down 29 percent.

Eight Central States' production is forecast at 97.6 million cwt, down 4 percent from last year and 11 percent below 2000. Harvested area, estimated at 314,900 acres, is down 3 percent, while the average yield of 310 cwt per acre is down 3 cwt from a year ago. Minnesota and Nebraska register production increases from last year but the other 6 Central States are down. Spring rains and flooding reduced production potential in North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Indiana production fell 22 percent from last year, North Dakota was down 11 percent, Wisconsin dropped 3 percent, and Ohio output fell 8 percent. Minnesota gained 1 percent and Nebraska's production is up fractionally.

Five Eastern States' production is forecast at 25.9 million cwt, down 2 percent from last year and 8 percent below two years ago. Area for harvest totaled 103,400 acres, 1 percent above last year, but the average yield fell to 250 cwt per acre, 9 cwt below last season. Maine's production is up 3 percent from last year but the other 4 States are down. Production in Pennsylvania dropped 18 percent from last year. Massachusetts' production is down less than 1 percent and Rhode Island is off 43 percent.

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