WEEKLY NATIONAL MARKET PRICE FOR PEANUTS Media Contact: Latawnya Dia (202) 720-7962

NEWS Farm Service Agency Public Affairs Staff 1400 Independence Ave SW Stop 0506, Room 3624-South Washington, D.C. 20250-0506 Release No. 1727.02 Latawnya Dia (202) 720-7962 latawnya_dia@wdc.fsa.usda.gov WEEKLY NATIONAL MARKET PRICE FOR PEANUTS WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2002 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 on Wednesday, December 18, 2002, 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. 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. # Note: Farm Service Agency (FSA) news releases and media advisories are available at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.