Purdue News
Purdue News
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March 4, 2004 2003 was 'bittersweet' year for Hoosier popcorn growersWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Despite the rough weather conditions of the past year, Indiana's popcorn growers managed to increase their numbers across the board, according to the Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service (IASS) located at Purdue University. Production escalated to more than 267.3 million pounds versus 225 million pounds in 2002 - an increase in excess of 42 million pounds. The value of production has fluctuated over the past three years; nonetheless, it also increased to more than $31 million, up from $22 million in 2002. Yield was reported at 3,300 pounds per acre in 2003, a 300-pound increase from the previous year. The average price per pound increased 1.8 cents to 11.6 cents per pound. "The increased price is due to Hoosiers growing more specialty popcorn and the adverse weather conditions," said statistical assistant Susan Reynolds of IASS. Specialty popcorn kernel colors include black, red, gold and off-white varieties. Hoosier growers planted 88,000 acres of popcorn - 12,000 acres more than in 2002 - but only harvested 81,000 acres. The 81,000 acres harvested represents a 6,000-acre increase over 2002. "The 7,000-acre difference from popcorn planted and harvested was due to adverse weather conditions," Reynolds said. While worldwide popcorn sales are steadily increasing, Americans still consume more popcorn than the citizens of any other county, according to the Popcorn Institute, an international association of popcorn processors based in Chicago. There are currently more than 200 popcorn growers in Indiana and approximately 12 processors. The data obtained by the IASS is retrieved from both sources. White, Pulaski, Fulton and Jasper are a few of the Indiana counties that have been major popcorn producers in the past. Popcorn can be grown in all regions of Indiana, though much of it is grown in the northern one-third of the state. Unlike most other crops, popcorn is grown almost exclusively under contract to processors who arrange for what they want before the growing season. For additional information, including history, statistics, activities and recipes for popcorn, visit the Popcorn Institute's Web site. The IASS is a joint venture between Purdue University Agricultural Research Programs and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The IASS publishes current and historic statistics concerning agriculture in Indiana and the United States. Writer: Julie Douglas, (765) 494-8402, agnews-stories@purdue.edu Source: Susan Reynolds, (765) 494-5544, susan_Reynolds@nass.usda.gov Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu
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