Acreage in potatoes up slightly

PRESQUE ISLE — The acreage of potatoes planted in the fall-producing states was reported Thursday at 6 percent more than last year and 6 percent more than two years ago, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report.

The total acreage was estimated at 1.15 million acres, up from 1.1 million last year and 1.09 million in 1988.

Maine remained stable at 80,000 acres, the same as the 1989 crop, and 1,000 less than in 1988, the report said. Maine’s estimated 1990 acreage was a little less than was predicted in May, when market observers forecast a possible planting of 82,000 to 84,000 acres.

Market observers predicated an overall increase for the 1990 crop of 60,000 acres across the fall states.

The total acreage planted in the eastern fall states was 133.1 million, down from the 135.2 in 1989 and from the 140.4 million two years ago.

The western fall states total was estimated at 679.8 million acres, a large increase from the 627.2 acres planted last year and the 612.1 acres in 1988.