united states department of agriculture www ers usda gov electronic outlook report from the economic research service vegetables and melons gary lucier alberto jerardo potato crop down prices higher with total 2005 production 7 5 percent january october price received by growers shippers packers for fresh market potatoes averaged 9 27 per cwt 25 above average during first 10 months 2004 contrast processing which largely move under contract 20 up only 1 a year earlier second consecutive florida vegetable industry suffered substantial hurricane damage to crops infrastructure on 24 wilma moved across southern resulting in several counties gulf coast east most severe setbacks occurred geared late fall early winter markets as result grower such tomatoes did not begin rise until mid november harvests concluded other shipments warm season are expected even out mexico regain
