Potato acreage up 8% from 2010 in Idaho, U.S.

Potato growers in Idaho have planted an estimated 320,000 acres in 2011, an 8% increase from the 295,000 acres planted in 2010, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Growers increased acreage from last year driven by strong prices.

Harvested acres, at 319,000, are up 9% from a year ago. This estimate is the same as the acreage that was planted and harvested in 2009. The acreage planted in 2010 was the fewest potato acres planted in Idaho since 1980, when 295,000 acres were also planted. In the 10 Southwest Counties, planted and harvested acres are estimated at 19,000 acres, up 3,000 acres from 2010. Acres for harvest in the state’s other counties are expected to total 300,000 acres from 301,000 planted acres. This is an 8% increase from last year’s 279,000 acres planted in other counties.

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

Nationally, potato growers across the U.S. planted an estimated 1.08 million acres of potatoes in all four seasons of the 2011 crop year, up 6% from the previous year. Area for harvest, forecasted at 1.07 million acres, is also up 6% from 2010. Area planted to fall potatoes in 2011 is estimated at 948,600 acres, up 6% from the 2010 crop year. Harvested area is forecast at 936,100 acres, also up 6% from 2010.

In California, adequate water supplies led to increased potato acreage in the Klamath Basin. In Colorado, producers continued to voluntarily limit acreage for water conservation. Less than optimal planting and growing conditions delayed the fall potato crop in Maine where potato development was one to two weeks behind schedule as of June 19. Heavy rains in mid-June reportedly led to drown outs in some low lying areas. In North Dakota, cold, wet weather caused delays in planting. In Oregon, crop development was reportedly behind due to cold, wet spring conditions.