US Fall potato acreage down 4%;Idaho acreage down 8%

Idaho: Potato growers in Idaho have planted an estimated 295,000 acres in 2010, an 8 percent decrease from the 320,000 acres planted in 2009. Harvested acres, at 294,000, are also down 8 percent from a year ago.

These are the least potato acres planted in Idaho since 1980, when 295,000 acres were also planted. Idaho has not had a lower planted acreage since 1965, when 283,000 acres were planted.

In the 10 Southwest Counties, planted and harvested acres are estimated at 16,000 acres, down 3,000 acres from 2009. Acres for harvest in the State’s Other Counties are expected to total 278,000 acres from 279,000 planted acres. This is a 7 percent decrease from last year’s 301,000 acres planted in Other Counties.

Potatoes planted in Idaho are estimated to be 3 percent red, 4 percent white, 1 percent yellow, and 92 percent Russet.

United States: Potato growers across the United States planted an estimated 1.03 million acres of potatoes in all four seasons of the 2010 crop year, down 4 percent from the previous year. Area for harvest, forecasted at 1.01 million acres, is down 3 percent from 2009.

Fall Potatoes: Area planted to fall potatoes in 2010 is estimated at 896,100 acres, down 4 percent from the 2009 crop year. Harvested area is forecast at 882,300 acres, also down 4 percent from 2009.

Washington producers planted 7 percent fewer acres than a year ago. If realized, this will be the lowest planted area since 1992.

Oregon growers reduced planted area 5 percent from last year. The crop got off to a slow start. Cool, wet conditions slowed growth.

In Maine, planted area dropped 1 percent from the previous year. Warm, dry conditions encouraged growth.

In Colorado, producers started planting earlier than usual and finished ahead of the usual pace. Producers continued to voluntarily limit acreage for water conservation and supply management.

In North Dakota, warm, dry weather allowed planting to begin earlier than normal and was 40 percent planted by April 25. Planting remained ahead of average and was virtually complete by May 30. Nearly all of Minnesota potatoes were planted by May 23. Due to recent rains, some operators had to replant their acreage, while some decided not to replant.