April 16, 2007

**2007 WINTER AND SPRING PRODUCTION**

**[Florida]{.smallcaps}**: Florida winter potatoes were combined with
spring potatoes for the 2007 crop.

**[Weather]{.smallcaps}**: Mostly mild weather during December 2006
helped planting to stay on schedule and aided crop development. Dry
weather throughout the months of January to March kept planting on
schedule around Hastings and in the northern Peninsula. In late March,
Hastings growers continued to make double crop plantings following
cabbage harvests. Potato digging is expected to begin by mid to late
April in the Hastings area and it is underway in the other spring potato
areas.

**[Spring]{.smallcaps}**: Producers planted 27,800 acres, down 1,000
acres from the combined 28,800 winter and spring acres planted in 2006.
Acreage for harvest was set at 27,200 acres, down 900 acres from the
combined winter and spring acres harvested a year ago. Yield is expected
to average 290 hundredweight per acre, up 5 hundredweight from the
previous year. The combined winter and spring production is anticipated
to total 7,888,000 hundredweight, up one percent or 72,000 hundredweight
from the 2006 combined production. Growers in the Hastings area planted
16,500 acres and hope to dig 16,200 acres compared with 17,000 acres
planted and 16,600 acres dug in 2006. The Hastings area yield is
expected to average 290 hundredweight per acre, up 5 cwt or 2 percent
from the 285 per acre averaged in 2006. The Hastings production is set
at 4,698,000 hundredweight, down 33,000 hundredweight or one percent
from the 4,731,000 hundredweight dug last year. The combined winter and
spring production from other areas is expected to total 3,190,000
hundredweight, up 105,000 hundredweight or 3 percent from the 3,085,000
cwt dug a year ago.

**[United States]{.smallcaps}**: Production for 2007 is forecast at 2.47
million cwt, 14 percent below the January forecast and 45 percent below
last year. The California production is 21 percent below 2006. Area for
harvest in California, at 11,500 acres, is unchanged from January but
down 4 percent from a year ago. The average yield of 215 cwt per acre is
down 35 cwt from January and 45 cwt below a year ago. Freezing
temperatures in January damaged the crop, resulting in lower yield
potential.

**[Spring]{.smallcaps}**: Spring production in 2007 is forecast at 20.8
million cwt, up 5 percent from last year and 11 percent above two years
ago. Area for harvest is forecast at 69,800 acres, 3 percent above 2006.
The average yield is forecast at 298 cwt per acre, up 5 cwt from a year
ago.

California\'s spring potato production forecast, at 6.12 million cwt, is
1 percent above last year. Freezing temperatures in January caused some
delays in planting, slowed growth, and caused some crop damage. However,
growers rate the overall crop condition better than the 2006 crop. North
Carolina\'s spring potato crop is forecast at 2.90 million cwt, down 11
percent from last year. As of April 1, the crop was rated 85 percent
good to excellent and planting was nearing completion. Texas spring
potato production is forecast at 2.87 million cwt, virtually unchanged
from last season. Producers report good growing conditions with high
levels of moisture available. Arizona\'s production is forecast at 1.05
million cwt, down 10 percent from last year.

**[Summer Potatoes, 2006 Revisions:]{.smallcaps}** The final estimate of
2006 summer potato crop production is 18.4 million cwt, down 1 percent
from the preliminary estimate in the January Crop Production 2006
Summary but up 4 percent from the 2005 crop. Harvested area covered
54,300 acres, unchanged from the 2006 preliminary estimate but up 6
percent from 2005. The average yield of 338 cwt per acre is down 2 cwt
from the 2006 preliminary estimate and 4 cwt below the 2005 crop.

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 16%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 10%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 10%" />
</colgroup>
<thead>
<tr class="header">
<th colspan="10"><strong>POTATOES</strong></th>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<th rowspan="3"><p>Seasonal</p>
<p>Group</p>
<p>and State</p></th>
<th colspan="4">Area</th>
<th colspan="2" rowspan="2"><p>Yield</p>
<p>per acre</p></th>
<th colspan="3" rowspan="2">Production</th>
</tr>
<tr class="header">
<th colspan="2">Planted</th>
<th colspan="2">Harvested</th>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<th>2006</th>
<th><p>Indicated</p>
<p>2007</p></th>
<th>2006</th>
<th><p>Indicated</p>
<p>2007</p></th>
<th>2006</th>
<th><p>Indicated</p>
<p>2007</p></th>
<th>2005</th>
<th>2006</th>
<th><p>Indicated</p>
<p>2007</p></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="4"><em>1,000 acres</em></td>
<td colspan="2"><em>Cwt</em></td>
<td colspan="3"><em>1,000 cwt</em></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="10">Winter</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><blockquote>
<p>California</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>12.0</td>
<td>11.5</td>
<td>12.0</td>
<td>11.5</td>
<td>260</td>
<td>215</td>
<td>3,500</td>
<td>3,120</td>
<td>2,473</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><blockquote>
<p>Florida <sup>1/</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>5.7</td>
<td></td>
<td>5.5</td>
<td></td>
<td>250</td>
<td></td>
<td>1,392</td>
<td>1,375</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><blockquote>
<p>Total</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>17.7</td>
<td>11.5</td>
<td>17.5</td>
<td>11.5</td>
<td>257</td>
<td>215</td>
<td>4,892</td>
<td>4,495</td>
<td>2,473</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="10">Spring</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><blockquote>
<p>Arizona</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>3.9</td>
<td>3.5</td>
<td>3.9</td>
<td>3.5</td>
<td>300</td>
<td>300</td>
<td>1,183</td>
<td>1,170</td>
<td>1,050</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><blockquote>
<p>California</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>15.3</td>
<td>15.5</td>
<td>15.3</td>
<td>15.5</td>
<td>395</td>
<td>395</td>
<td>6,116</td>
<td>6,044</td>
<td>6,123</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><blockquote>
<p>Florida <sup>1/</sup></p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>23.1</td>
<td>27.8</td>
<td>22.6</td>
<td>27.2</td>
<td>285</td>
<td>290</td>
<td>6,527</td>
<td>6,441</td>
<td>7,888</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><blockquote>
<p>Hastings</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>17.0</td>
<td>16.5</td>
<td>16.6</td>
<td>16.2</td>
<td>285</td>
<td>290</td>
<td>4,760</td>
<td>4,731</td>
<td>4,698</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><blockquote>
<p>Other</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>6.1</td>
<td>11.3</td>
<td>6.0</td>
<td>11.0</td>
<td>285</td>
<td>290</td>
<td>1,767</td>
<td>1,710</td>
<td>3,190</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><blockquote>
<p>North Carolina</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>17.7</td>
<td>16.0</td>
<td>15.5</td>
<td>14.5</td>
<td>210</td>
<td>200</td>
<td>2,850</td>
<td>3,255</td>
<td>2,900</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><blockquote>
<p>Texas</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>10.7</td>
<td>9.6</td>
<td>10.2</td>
<td>9.1</td>
<td>280</td>
<td>315</td>
<td>2,048</td>
<td>2,856</td>
<td>2,867</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><blockquote>
<p>Total</p>
</blockquote></td>
<td>70.7</td>
<td>72.4</td>
<td>67.5</td>
<td>69.8</td>
<td>293</td>
<td>298</td>
<td>18,724</td>
<td>19,766</td>
<td>20,828</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="10"><sup>1/</sup> Winter potatoes combined with spring
potatoes in 2007</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

**April Potato Stocks Down 2 Percent from Last Year**

The 13 major potato States held 114 million cwt of potatoes in storage
April 1, 2007, down 2 percent from last year and 12 percent below April
1, 2005, for comparable States. Ohio and Pennsylvania were dropped from
the potato stocks program starting with the 2005 storage season.
Potatoes in storage account for 30 percent of the 2006 fall storage
States\' production, down 1 percentage point from last year. Klamath
Basin stocks were added to the potato stocks program starting with
December 2006 and total 1.40 million cwt on April 1, 2007. Klamath Basin
includes California and Klamath County, Oregon potato stocks.

Disappearance of 269 million cwt from the start of harvest to April 1,
is up 4 percent from last year. Shrink and loss, at 21.9 million cwt, is
up 8 percent from the previous year.

Processors have used 144 million cwt of 2006 crop potatoes so far this
season, up 9 percent from a year ago and 6 percent above 2 years ago.
Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon total processing increased 9 percent
from a year ago, Maine\'s total processing was 10 percent above the same
date in 2006, and Washington and the rest of Oregon total processing was
up 2 percent from last season. Dehydrating usage accounts for 30.2
million cwt of the total processing, up 13 percent from last year and 1
percent above the same date in 2005.

Western States held 81.3 million cwt of potatoes in storage on April 1,
down 8 percent from last year. Idaho\'s potato stocks are down 6 percent
from last year, Washington\'s potato sheds held 16 percent less than
last year, and Oregon\'s stocks declined 11 percent from last season.
Colorado potato sheds held 2 percent more stocks than last year and
California\'s potato stocks increased 14 percent from last season.
Montana\'s potato stocks are unchanged from last year.

Central States accounted for 24.0 million cwt of potato stocks on April
1, up 18 percent from last year. North Dakota\'s potato stocks increased
36 percent from last year, Wisconsin\'s sheds held 6 percent more,
Minnesota stocks are up 24 percent, and potato stocks in Michigan are 18
percent above last season. Nebraska\'s potato stocks are unchanged from
the same date in 2006.

<table style="width:100%;">
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 20%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="10"><strong>POTATOES</strong>: Quantity used for
processing, nine States, 2004-2006<sup>1/</sup></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>State</td>
<td><p>Crop</p>
<p>year</p></td>
<td><p>To</p>
<p>Dec 1</p></td>
<td><p>To</p>
<p>Jan 1</p></td>
<td><p>To</p>
<p>Feb 1</p></td>
<td><p>To</p>
<p>Mar 1</p></td>
<td><p>To</p>
<p>Apr 1</p></td>
<td><p>To</p>
<p>May 1</p></td>
<td><p>To</p>
<p>Jun 1</p></td>
<td><p>Entire</p>
<p>season</p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"> </td>
<td colspan="8"><em>1,000 cwt</em></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td rowspan="3"><p>Idaho &amp; Malheur</p>
<p>County, Oregon</p></td>
<td>2004</td>
<td>24,360</td>
<td>30,840</td>
<td>36,820</td>
<td>44,610</td>
<td>51,000</td>
<td>58,090</td>
<td>65,800</td>
<td>84,600</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>2005</td>
<td>22,840</td>
<td>29,300</td>
<td>35,970</td>
<td>43,300</td>
<td>50,820</td>
<td>57,830</td>
<td>65,030</td>
<td>77,360</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>2006</td>
<td>26,130</td>
<td>32,810</td>
<td>40,100</td>
<td>47,730</td>
<td>55,380</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td rowspan="3"> Maine <sup>2/</sup></td>
<td>2004</td>
<td>1,540</td>
<td>1,970</td>
<td>2,600</td>
<td>3,135</td>
<td>3,700</td>
<td>4,340</td>
<td>4,910</td>
<td>6,590</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>2005</td>
<td>1,365</td>
<td>1,880</td>
<td>2,485</td>
<td>3,090</td>
<td>3,800</td>
<td>4,450</td>
<td>5,130</td>
<td>6,825</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>2006</td>
<td>1,755</td>
<td>2,360</td>
<td>2,910</td>
<td>3,465</td>
<td>4,165</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td rowspan="3"><p>Washington and Other</p>
<p>   areas, Oregon</p></td>
<td>2004</td>
<td>32,305</td>
<td>38,130</td>
<td>43,570</td>
<td>50,730</td>
<td>57,140</td>
<td>63,855</td>
<td>71,355</td>
<td>78,680</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>2005</td>
<td>30,310</td>
<td>35,895</td>
<td>40,545</td>
<td>48,290</td>
<td>55,320</td>
<td>61,885</td>
<td>69,360</td>
<td>78,550</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>2006</td>
<td>30,980</td>
<td>37,060</td>
<td>42,190</td>
<td>49,930</td>
<td>56,690</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td rowspan="3">Other States <sup>3/</sup></td>
<td>2004</td>
<td>12,490</td>
<td>15,000</td>
<td>17,965</td>
<td>20,910</td>
<td>24,150</td>
<td>27,480</td>
<td>30,945</td>
<td>41,175</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>2005</td>
<td>11,055</td>
<td>14,070</td>
<td>17,005</td>
<td>19,895</td>
<td>22,520</td>
<td>25,270</td>
<td>27,740</td>
<td>35,535</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><sup>4/</sup> 2006</td>
<td>13,465</td>
<td>16,905</td>
<td>20,450</td>
<td>23,820</td>
<td>27,815</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td rowspan="3">Total</td>
<td>2004</td>
<td>70,695</td>
<td>85,940</td>
<td>100,955</td>
<td>119,385</td>
<td>135,990</td>
<td>153,765</td>
<td>173,010</td>
<td>211,045</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>2005</td>
<td>65,570</td>
<td>81,145</td>
<td>96,005</td>
<td>114,575</td>
<td>132,460</td>
<td>149,405</td>
<td>167,260</td>
<td>198,270</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><sup>4/</sup> 2006</td>
<td>72,330</td>
<td>89,135</td>
<td>105,650</td>
<td>124,945</td>
<td>144,050</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td rowspan="3">Dehydrated <sup>5/</sup></td>
<td>2004</td>
<td>14,525</td>
<td>18,540</td>
<td>21,875</td>
<td>25,970</td>
<td>30,020</td>
<td>33,685</td>
<td>38,505</td>
<td>47,810</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>2005</td>
<td>11,920</td>
<td>15,655</td>
<td>19,225</td>
<td>22,765</td>
<td>26,605</td>
<td>30,065</td>
<td>34,130</td>
<td>41,625</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>2006</td>
<td>12,860</td>
<td>17,130</td>
<td>21,270</td>
<td>25,550</td>
<td>30,180</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="10"><p><sup>1/</sup> Total quantity received and used for
processing regardless of the State in which the potatoes were produced.
Amount excludes quantities used for potato chips in ME and WI.</p>
<p><sup>2/</sup> Includes Maine grown potatoes only.</p>
<p><sup>3/</sup> CO, MN, NV, ND, and WI.</p>
<p><sup>4/</sup> March revised<sup>.</sup></p>
<p><sup>5/</sup> Dehydrated products except starch and flour. Included
in above totals. Includes CO, ID, NV, ND, OR, WA, and WI.</p></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Eastern States stored 8.30 million cwt of potatoes on April 1, up 19
percent from last year. Maine\'s potato sheds held 22 percent more than
last year, while New York\'s potato stocks declined 20 percent from a
year ago.

+-----+------+------+-------+------+--------+-------+------+------+
| **F |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| ALL |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| PO  |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| TAT |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| OES |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| **: |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| P   |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| rod |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| uct |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| ion |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| and |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| S   |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| toc |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| ks, |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| 15  |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| Ma  |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| jor |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| S   |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| tat |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| es, |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| 1   |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| 997 |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| t   |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| hro |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| ugh |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| 2   |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| 006 |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
+-----+------+------+-------+------+--------+-------+------+------+
| C   | Pr   | Dec  | Jan 1 | Feb  | Mar 1  | Apr 1 | May  | Jun  |
| rop | oduc | 1    |       | 1    |        |       | 1    | 1    |
|     | tion |      |       |      |        |       |      | ^1/^ |
| Y   |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| ear |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
+-----+------+------+-------+------+--------+-------+------+------+
|     | *1   |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
|     | ,000 |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
|     | Cwt* |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
+-----+------+------+-------+------+--------+-------+------+------+
| 1   | 413  | 278  | 24    | 212  | 1      | 13    | 92   |      |
| 997 | ,513 | ,830 | 6,550 | ,562 | 75,870 | 4,190 | ,840 |      |
+-----+------+------+-------+------+--------+-------+------+------+
| 1   | 423  | 280  | 24    | 209  | 1      | 13    | 87   | 50   |
| 998 | ,170 | ,910 | 6,230 | ,640 | 73,650 | 1,220 | ,895 | ,270 |
+-----+------+------+-------+------+--------+-------+------+------+
| 1   | 420  | 275  | 23    | 207  | 1      | 12    | 86   | 47   |
| 999 | ,567 | ,100 | 9,910 | ,150 | 69,620 | 8,410 | ,915 | ,220 |
+-----+------+------+-------+------+--------+-------+------+------+
| 2   | 458  | 310  | 27    | 234  | 1      | 15    | 109  | 61   |
| 000 | ,827 | ,300 | 5,270 | ,260 | 97,670 | 3,520 | ,160 | ,270 |
+-----+------+------+-------+------+--------+-------+------+------+
| 2   | 387  | 258  | 22    | 192  | 1      | 11    | 81   | 42   |
| 001 | ,033 | ,750 | 4,680 | ,090 | 58,590 | 9,950 | ,200 | ,990 |
+-----+------+------+-------+------+--------+-------+------+------+
| 2   | 407  | 264  | 23    | 199  | 1      | 12    | 83   | 45   |
| 002 | ,085 | ,485 | 1,490 | ,020 | 65,210 | 5,770 | ,040 | ,880 |
+-----+------+------+-------+------+--------+-------+------+------+
| 2   | 403  | 267  | 23    | 200  | 1      | 12    | 85   | 46   |
| 003 | ,181 | ,900 | 3,590 | ,230 | 66,280 | 6,110 | ,000 | ,020 |
+-----+------+------+-------+------+--------+-------+------+------+
| 2   | 403  | 271  | 23    | 203  | 1      | 12    | 88   | 51   |
| 004 | ,587 | ,100 | 6,700 | ,490 | 68,020 | 8,900 | ,550 | ,700 |
+-----+------+------+-------+------+--------+-------+------+------+
| 2   | 374  | 253  | 22    | 189  | 1      | 11    | 75   | 41   |
| 005 | ,298 | ,800 | 0,500 | ,100 | 55,500 | 5,700 | ,900 | ,560 |
| ^   |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| 2/^ |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
+-----+------+------+-------+------+--------+-------+------+------+
| 2   | 382  | 252  | 22    | 187  | 1      | 11    |      |      |
| 006 | ,283 | ,200 | 0,000 | ,800 | 53,200 | 3,600 |      |      |
| ^   |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| 2/^ |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
+-----+------+------+-------+------+--------+-------+------+------+
| ^   |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| 1/^ |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| D   |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| ata |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| not |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| ava |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| ila |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| ble |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| pr  |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| ior |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| to  |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| 19  |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| 98. |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
|     |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| ^   |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| 2/^ |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| Th  |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| irt |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| een |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| ma  |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| jor |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| S   |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| tat |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
| es. |      |      |       |      |        |       |      |      |
+-----+------+------+-------+------+--------+-------+------+------+