February 16, 2007

The 13 major potato States held 188 million cwt of potatoes in storage
February 1, 2007, down 1 percent from last year and 7 percent below
February 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 49 percent of the 2006 fall
storage States\' production, down 2 percentage points from last year.
Klamath Basin stocks were added to the potato stocks program starting
with December 2006 and total 2.60 million cwt on February 1, 2007.
Klamath Basin includes California and Klamath County, Oregon potato
stocks.

Disappearance of 194 million cwt from the start of harvest to February
1, is up 5 percent from last year. Shrink and loss, at 18.2 million cwt,
is up 8 percent from the pervious year.

Processors have used 106 million cwt of 2006 crop potatoes so far this
season, up 10 percent from a year ago and 5 percent above 2 years ago.
In Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon, total processing increased 11
percent from a year ago, Maine\'s total processing was 17 percent above
the same date in 2006. In Washington and the rest of Oregon, total
processing was up 4 percent from last season. Dehydrating usage accounts
for 21.3 million cwt of the total processing, up 11 percent from last
year but 3 percent below the same date in 2005.

Western States held 131 million cwt of potatoes in storage on February
1, down 6 percent from last year. Idaho\'s potato stocks were down 2
percent from last year, Washington\'s potato sheds held 10 percent less
than last year, and Oregon\'s stocks declined 19 percent from last
season. Colorado potato sheds held 2 percent more stocks than last year,
Montana\'s stocks are up 3 percent from 2006, and California\'s potato
stocks increased 18 percent from last season.

Central States accounted for 44.7 million cwt of potato stocks on
February 1, up 13 percent from last year. Wisconsin\'s potato stocks
increased 11 percent from last year, while North Dakota\'s sheds held 28
percent more. Minnesota stocks were up 8 percent, and potato stocks in
Michigan were 13 percent above last season. Nebraska\'s potato stocks
are unchanged from the same date in 2006.

Eastern States stored 12.6 million cwt of potatoes on February 1, up 11
percent from last year. Maine\'s potato sheds held 19 percent more than
last year, while New York\'s potato stocks declined 35 percent from a
year ago.

+------------+--------+----------+--------+--------+--------+---------+
| **FALL     |        |          |        |        |        |         |
| P          |        |          |        |        |        |         |
| OTATOES**: |        |          |        |        |        |         |
| Production |        |          |        |        |        |         |
| and Stocks |        |          |        |        |        |         |
| on         |        |          |        |        |        |         |
| February   |        |          |        |        |        |         |
| 1, 2006    |        |          |        |        |        |         |
| and 2007   |        |          |        |        |        |         |
| ^1/^       |        |          |        |        |        |         |
+------------+--------+----------+--------+--------+--------+---------+
| State      | Crop   |          |        | Crop   |        |         |
|            | of     |          |        | of     |        |         |
|            | 2005   |          |        | 2006   |        |         |
+------------+--------+----------+--------+--------+--------+---------+
|            | Prod   | Stocks   | P      | Prod   | Stocks | Percent |
|            | uction |          | ercent | uction |        |         |
|            |        | Feb 1,   |        |        | Feb 1, | of      |
|            |        |          | of     |        |        |         |
|            |        | 2006     |        |        | 2007   | pro     |
|            |        |          | prod   |        |        | duction |
|            |        |          | uction |        |        |         |
+------------+--------+----------+--------+--------+--------+---------+
|            | *1,000 |          | *Pe    | *1,000 |        | *P      |
|            | cwt*   |          | rcent* | cwt*   |        | ercent* |
+------------+--------+----------+--------+--------+--------+---------+

  ------------- --------- ----------- -------- --------- --------- ---------
  California    3,306     1,100       33       3,783     1,300     34

  Colorado      22,910    12,900      56       22,686    13,100    58

  Idaho         118,288   66,000      56       121,820   64,500    53

  Maine         15,455    9,700       63       18,270    11,500    63

  Michigan      13,910    4,500       32       14,190    5,100     36

  Minnesota     17,630    9,000       51       20,400    9,700     48

  Montana       3,445     3,300       96       3,518     3,400     97

  Nebraska      8,245     3,900       47       8,633     3,900     45

  New York      5,226     1,700       33       5,700     1,100     19

  North Dakota  20,500    9,400       46       25,480    12,000    47

  Oregon        22,023    14,500      66       18,533    11,700    63

  Washington    95,480    40,500      42       89,900    36,500    41

  Wisconsin     27,880    12,600      45       29,370    14,000    48

  Total 13      374,298   189,100     51       382,283   187,800   49
  States                                                           

  Klamath Basin                                          2,600     
  ^2/^                                                             
  ------------- --------- ----------- -------- --------- --------- ---------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  ^1/^ Stocks include processor holdings and most of the seed to plant
  following year=s crop. Seed usage for all seasons in 2006 totaled 25.6
  million cwt. ^2/^ Estimates began in December 2006. Includes potato
  stocks in CA and Klamath Co. OR.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

<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></td>
<td></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></td>
<td></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></td>
<td></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>2006</td>
<td>13,465</td>
<td>16,905</td>
<td>20,450</td>
<td></td>
<td></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></td>
<td></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><sup>4/</sup> 2006</td>
<td>12,860</td>
<td>17,130</td>
<td>21,270</td>
<td></td>
<td></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, MI, 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> January 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>
<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 11%" />
<col style="width: 11%" />
<col style="width: 11%" />
<col style="width: 11%" />
<col style="width: 12%" />
<col style="width: 11%" />
<col style="width: 11%" />
<col style="width: 10%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="9"><strong>FALL POTATOES</strong>: Production and Stocks,
15 Major States, 1997 through 2006</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><p>Crop</p>
<p>Year</p></td>
<td>Production</td>
<td>Dec 1</td>
<td>Jan 1</td>
<td>Feb 1</td>
<td>Mar 1</td>
<td>Apr 1</td>
<td>May 1</td>
<td>Jun 1 <sup>1/</sup></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> </td>
<td colspan="8"><em>1,000 Cwt</em></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>1997</td>
<td>413,513</td>
<td>278,830</td>
<td>246,550</td>
<td>212,562</td>
<td>175,870</td>
<td>134,190</td>
<td>92,840</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>1998</td>
<td>423,170</td>
<td>280,910</td>
<td>246,230</td>
<td>209,640</td>
<td>173,650</td>
<td>131,220</td>
<td>87,895</td>
<td>50,270</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>1999</td>
<td>420,567</td>
<td>275,100</td>
<td>239,910</td>
<td>207,150</td>
<td>169,620</td>
<td>128,410</td>
<td>86,915</td>
<td>47,220</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>2000</td>
<td>458,827</td>
<td>310,300</td>
<td>275,270</td>
<td>234,260</td>
<td>197,670</td>
<td>153,520</td>
<td>109,160</td>
<td>61,270</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>2001</td>
<td>387,033</td>
<td>258,750</td>
<td>224,680</td>
<td>192,090</td>
<td>158,590</td>
<td>119,950</td>
<td>81,200</td>
<td>42,990</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>2002</td>
<td>407,085</td>
<td>264,485</td>
<td>231,490</td>
<td>199,020</td>
<td>165,210</td>
<td>125,770</td>
<td>83,040</td>
<td>45,880</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>2003</td>
<td>403,181</td>
<td>267,900</td>
<td>233,590</td>
<td>200,230</td>
<td>166,280</td>
<td>126,110</td>
<td>85,000</td>
<td>46,020</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>2004</td>
<td>403,587</td>
<td>271,100</td>
<td>236,700</td>
<td>203,490</td>
<td>168,020</td>
<td>128,900</td>
<td>88,550</td>
<td>51,700</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>2005 <sup>2/</sup></td>
<td>374,298</td>
<td>253,800</td>
<td>220,500</td>
<td>189,100</td>
<td>155,500</td>
<td>115,700</td>
<td>75,900</td>
<td>41,560</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>2006 <sup>2/</sup></td>
<td>382,283</td>
<td>252,200</td>
<td>220,000</td>
<td>187,800</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="9"><p><sup>1/</sup> Data not available prior to 1998.</p>
<p><sup>2/</sup> 13 major States.</p></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>