| United States Department of Agriculture |
| Foreign Agricultural Service |
| Circular Series FHORT 04-98 |
| April 1998 |
Trade and U.S. Export
Opportunities
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World
Horticultural Trade and U.S. Export Opportunities |
Total U.S. horticultural product exports for Fiscal Year 1998 to date (October 1997 to January 1998) were valued at $3.58 billion, $24.2 million or 1 percent below last season’s shipments during the same period. Sharply reduced almond, apple, and essential oil sales more than offset higher fresh vegetable, fresh grape, and wine exports. Almond exports to all destinations to date were down $72.3 million, or 19 percent below the same time period a year ago. The European Union accounted for essentially all of the decrease in U.S. tree nut exports, due primarily to lower per unit export prices resulting from larger world almond supplies. However, tree nut exports showed some sign of improvement in January as sales in that month were down only 2 percent compared with the same month a year ago. Total U.S. essential oil exports were down $46.8 million or 23 percent, with Japan accounting for all of the reduction in sales. Fresh apple exports were down $35.7 million or 20 percent, as the financial crisis in Asia and a prohibitive countervailing duty imposed by Mexico sharply reduced exports. On the other hand, U.S. fresh vegetable sales were up $39.1 million, or 11 percent, based primarily on strong sales to Canada. Fresh grape exports were running at a record pace, up $31.9 million or 26 percent, with Hong Kong, Mexico, and Canada accounting for the larger sales. Wine sales continued their record pace, with sales up $27.3 million or 25 percent, based on strong sales to the European Union, Taiwan, and Japan.
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