U.S. exports of horticultural products to all countries in January totaled $762 million, down 8 percent from the same month a year earlier. Seven out of 15 categories registered increases. Categories with the most significant increases in January were fresh vegetables (up $8.0 million or 9 percent); hops & products (up $5.8 million or 62 percent); nursery products (up $2.7 million or 16 percent); and wine (up $3.0 million or 12 percent). The categories with the most significant decreases were miscellaneous products (down $34.3 million or 15 percent); fruit & vegetable juices (down $15.0 million or 27 percent); fresh citrus (down $14.8 million or 18 percent); and fresh non-citrus fruit (down $12.8 million or 19.4 percent). For FY 1998 to date (October-January), the total value of U.S. horticultural exports was $3.58 billion--1 percent below FY 1997.

From October 1997 to January 1998, 4 of the top 10 U.S. markets showed increases. Canada registered the largest increase for the first four months of FY 1998 (up $96.2 million or 11 percent over the same time period a year ago), followed by Mexico (up $32.7 million or 21 percent). Fresh vegetables and miscellaneous products accounted for about two thirds of the increase in U.S. horticultural exports to Canada. Exports to Mexico are increasing as that country continues to recover from the 1994 peso devaluation crisis. The largest decrease for the top ten markets was for Japan (down $80.1 million or 13 percent), due to the strong U.S. dollar and weak Japan economy. Reduced essential oil and fresh citrus exports accounted for the bulk of the decrease to Japan. Exports to the European Union were down $36.4 million or 5 percent. Sharply reduced tree nut sales to the EU account for this decrease. Exports to Korea were down $31.8 million or 33 percent, due to the currency devaluation crisis.