Spring Potato Harvest Sinks 22%

WASHINGTON - Oct 11/18 - SNS -- Spring potato production totaled 15.4 million cwt (100 pound units), down 22% from the 2017 crop, down slightly from last year, according to the latest USDA crop production estimates.

Area harvested, at 45,800 acres, decreased 21% from 2017. The average yield, at 336 cwt per acre, was down 7 cwt from 2017.

California's dry winter elevated concerns over water allotments early in the season, and a wet, cold spring further hindered planting which resulted in reduced planted acreage. Florida's growing conditions were dry early in the season which had a minimal impact on yield as most of the growing areas were in drought conditions throughout the spring. Some potato acreage was reported lost due to a late March frost.

		
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