Processing of the 2012 potato crop is down 7 percent through Oct. 1 from the prior year in Idaho and Malheur County, Ore., according to USDA.

Idaho potatoes accounted for 8.52 million of the 12.1 million cwt processed in Idaho and Malheur County.

Compared to 2010, however, Southern Idaho Potato Cooperative Executive Director Dan Hargraves noted processing is off to "a strong start."

Processors in Washington and other Oregon counties used 18.8 million cwt of 2012 potatoes, up 15 percent from last year.