| United States Department of Agriculture |
| Foreign Agricultural Service |
| Circular Series FHORT 08-99 |
| August 1999 |
Trade and U.S. Export
Opportunities
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World
Horticultural Trade and U.S. Export Opportunities |
Lower export prices are boosting U.S. frozen strawberry shipments this season, with exports forecast at 30,100 metric tons, surpassing the previous record set back in marketing year (MY) 1993/94. (For the United States, the marketing year follows a calendar-year basis, beginning in January of the second year). Based on data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, exports through May 1999 are up 12 percent compared to the same period last season. Promotion efforts under the Market Access Program (MAP) have been instrumental in expanding U.S. frozen strawberry sales overseas. Last season (1997/98), U.S. frozen strawberry exports totaled 27,013 tons, valued at more than $35 million. Exports to Japan, the leading foreign customer for frozen U.S. strawberries, were up 11 percent in 1997/98, after falling 8 percent in 1996/97. Shipments to Canada also rose dramatically in 1997/98, rising 56 percent above the preceding year. Moreover, U.S. exports to Australia have returned to the levels recorded in the early 1990's.
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