NEWS
Farm Service Agency
Public Affairs Staff
1400 Independence Ave SW
Stop 0506, Room 3624-South
Washington, D.C. 20250-0506

                                       Release No. 1429.03

                                Latawnya Dia (202) 720-7962
                              latawnya_dia@wdc.fsa.usda.gov

    WEEKLY NATIONAL MARKET PRICE FOR PEANUTS

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2003   The USDA's Commodity
Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced the national posted
prices for the four types of peanuts applicable to the 2002
crop.  Prices are as follows:

          $312.72 per ton for Runner peanuts
          $294.20 per ton for Spanish peanuts  
          $310.66 per ton for Valencia peanuts
          $310.66 per ton for Virginia peanuts.
          
     These prices become effective at 12:01 a.m., Eastern
Time, on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003, and are used to determine
the alternative loan repayment rates for marketing
assistance loans and to determine loan deficiency payments.  

     The national posted prices are determined taking into
account CCC's responsibility to minimize potential loan
forfeitures and the accumulation of stocks of peanuts by
CCC.  These prices also allow peanuts produced in the United
States to be marketed freely and competitively, both
domestically and internationally.  In establishing the
national posted prices, CCC utilizes a variety of sources
reporting peanut sales for various uses in various
locations.  USDA is committed to ensuring that the rate
established is an accurate representation of the market
price.

     This announcement will continue to be made each Tuesday
at 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, until further notice. 
Additional program information is available from Daniel
Stevens at (202) 720-5291 or by e-mail at
daniel_stevens@wdc.fsa.usda.gov.
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Note: The Farm Service Agency's (FSA) news releases and
media advisories are available at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.