Production

The bulk of lettuce consumed in the United States is produced domestically.  There are 3 basic types of lettuce produced:  iceberg (also known crisphead or head lettuce), leaf, and romaine.  The color for commercial cultivars varies from yellow-green to dark red and many colors in between.  The vast majority of U.S. production takes place in just 2 states, California and Arizona.  Other important, but smaller, commercial producing states include Colorado, New Jersey and New Mexico.  Head lettuce is the leading type of lettuce produced in California, followed at a distance by romaine, which continues to flourish, both in popularity and acreage. 

According to the Economic Research Service, lettuce production in the United States in 2002 is forecast at 4.6 million tons, unchanged from last year.  Head lettuce accounted for 73 percent of total lettuce produced during 1999-2001, followed by romaine and leaf lettuce with 15 and 12 percent, respectively.  Harvested acreage for romaine lettuce has continued to grow from 17,150 hectares in 1999 to 22,700 hectares in 2001, compared to the area for head lettuce which increased only marginally from 78,020 hectares to 78,350 hectares during this same period.  Lettuce acreage for 2002, is expected to be slightly lower or about the same as 2001, due to a cold weather snap that occurred in Central California and Arizona in late January of this year.    

Consumption

Consumption of lettuce in the United States continues to increase, with per capita use in 2001 reaching a record high of 32.7 pounds, up 2 percent from the year earlier.  This increase was due mostly to a record high per capita use of leaf and romaine (8.8 pounds), up 4 percent from the previous year. The main reason for romaine’s sustained growth is the continued popularity of Caesar salads plus the inclusion of romaine in a variety of fresh-cut salad products.  The enduring popularity of vegetable salads and the convenience offered by fresh-cut salad products has boosted the demand for leaf lettuce.  Also, some consumers now opt to replace iceberg lettuce with leaf and romaine lettuce in their home-made salads for added taste, texture, and variety. 

Trade

U.S. lettuce exports continue to be one of the bright spots for horticultural trade, with over 5 consecutive years of growth in volume.  During the first 5 months of 2002, U.S. exports of lettuce were valued at $112 million, up 23 percent in value from the previous year.  Canada continued to be the United States best customer, with shipments to that destination accounting for 91 percent of the total export value. Strong economic growth in Canada and higher U.S. prices contributed to the rise in value of lettuce exports.  During this same period, U.S. lettuce sales to Japan, the United States second largest market, were valued at $2.5 million, down 50 percent from the previous year.  In 2001, U.S. exports of lettuce to Japan were valued at $9.2 million, up 53 percent from the previous year. 

Japan represents a significant potential market for U.S. lettuce.  Japan cannot produce U.S.-type iceberg lettuce because of a high-humidity climate.  Fresh, crispy-type iceberg lettuce demand is growing, particularly at Japan’s sandwich/hamburger outlets and family restaurants.  Because of the growth in Japan’s food industry, U.S. exporters are hopeful that ongoing discussions between USDA/APHIS and MAFF officials will result in the approval of a pilot export pre-clearance inspection program.  Under this program, MAFF plant health officials would be situated in the United States for the purpose of inspection and pre-clearance of shipments bound for Japan.  A pre-clearance program would lessen the risk of shipments running into problems upon arrival in Japan, and could facilitate a substantial increase in U.S. export sales. 

 

	United States:  Lettuce Production and Area
		Head	Leaf	Romaine	Total
Area Planted
1999	Hectares	79,080	19,970	17,220	116,270
2000	Hectares	74,950	20,170	20,050	115,170
2001	Hectares	78,590	22,540	22,820	123,950
2002	Hectares	NA	NA	NA	NA
Harvested
1999	Hectares	78,020	19,950	17,150	115,120
2000	Hectares	74,830	20,030	20,010	114,870
2001	Hectares	78,350	22,460	22,700	123,510
2002	Hectares	NA	NA	NA	NA
Production
1999	Metric tons	3,189,690	502,400	595,750	4,287,840
2000	Metric tons	3,158,260	533,650	718,030	4,409,940
2001	Metric tons	3,289,070	532,240	739,030	4,560,340
2002	Metric tons 1/	3,265,869	582,419	733,000	4,581,288
Source:  National Agricultural Statistical Service.  1/  Forecast by Economic Research Service.
NA = Not Available.

 (For information on production and trade, contact Emanuel McNeil at 202-720-2083.  For information on marketing contact Elizabeth Mello at 202-7200-9903.)