USDA sees better prices for this fall's potato crop
Washington Ag Today September 8, 2010 Harvested area for fall-season potatoes is forecast by the USDA to be down four percent from 2009. And given average yields, the department says fall potato production is expected to decline from last year’s crop. There are also tighter potato supplies in places like Canada, Europe and Russia. So, USDA economist Lewrene Glaser says; Glaser: “U.S. grower prices are expected to average above year earlier levels during the 2010-2011 marketing year.” The first official USDA estimate of fall potato production won’t be issued until November but an Economic Research Service Outlook report says the U.S. fall crop could be down about six percent from 2009. The ERS says although export demand is likely to be up, domestic demand, especially in foodservice, will likely remain slow until employment levels begin to improve. While prices for fresh potatoes have been down during the current marketing year the ERS notes that processing potato prices have been going up. Potato processors did not contract for as much volume in 2010 and given the prospects of tight North American and global supplies the ERS says processors were reported buying open market potatoes in the Columbia Basin at the beginning of August. Nearly three-thousand 4-H youth from all over Washington will be displaying projects, showing animals, and making public presentations during the 2010 Puyallup Fair which runs September 10th through the 26th. All 4-H youth at the Puyallup Fair have previously taken top honors at county fairs. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net. ?
