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COVER
- This is a brief overview of the U.S. vegetable export situation
- In FY 1997, U.S. vegetable exports nearly regained the record level of $1.1 billion achieved in FY 1995
- The fresh vegetable category accounts for about 10% of all U.S. horticultural exports
- Exports have become vitally important to U.S. vegetable growers and shippers
FIGURE 1.
IMPORTANCE OF EXPORTS FOR SELECTED U.S. FRESH VEGETABLES
- Exports as a percentage of production for fresh use only have grown substantially over the past decade
- This chart shows the importance of those vegetables with the highest share going into export. Note that cauliflower and broccoli categories are hard to compute precisely, because of some commingling in customs data, a problem that is being addressed
- If this trend continues as expected, exports will become even more important to U.S. producers of these and other vegetables
FIGURE 2.
U.S. FRESH VEGETABLE EXPORTS REBOUND TO RECORD LEVEL
- In FY 1997, overall vegetable exports nearly regained the record level of $1.1 billion achieved in FY 1995
- Promisingly, last year’s exports represented solid, across the board increases in demand for U.S. product, as shipments to 5 of the top 8 export markets were larger than the previous year. In contrast, 2 years ago, shipments of U.S. produce surged due to weather-reduced Japanese domestic production and extraordinary demand in Canada
- Total fresh vegetable exports were up nearly 10% over the previous year. Lettuce and onions exports were each up 10%, tomato exports up 23%, and broccoli up 9%. These 4 items accounted for close to 50% of total fresh vegetable exports. Exports for all other items were up 8%
FIGURE 3. TOP 10 FRESH VEGETABLE EXPORTS
- LETTUCE was the number 1 exported vegetable. Total exports were up 10% from last year, reaching $147 million. Exports to North America and Oceania, which account for 86% of total exports, were up 16 and 11% respectively
- TOMATOES were the second largest value exported item. Exports were up 23% from last year. Shipments to North America, the largest and most traditional market, were up 19%. However, some exciting new markets appear to be emerging. Shipments to Central America were up 132% to total nearly $8 million and shipments to South Asia were up 77% at $5.5 million
- BROCCOLI exports have shown the steadiest export growth. Last year shipments grew 9% from the previous year’s level, and surpassed the FY 1995 record, reaching $92 million. This growth was evenly distributed; increases were recorded in Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the Caribbean
FIGURE 4.
TOP 8 U.S. FRESH VEGETABLE EXPORT MARKETS CIRCLE THE GLOBE
- CANADA remained the largest market for U.S. fresh vegetables, accounting for about 70% of total exports. Last year shipments to Canada increased by $70 million, 11% above the FY 1996 level
- Exports increased significantly for a wide range of products. Shipments of lettuce increased by $11 million, while tomatoes, carrots and celery each rose by more than $8 million, peppers by more than $6 million and broccoli, onions and peppers each increased by more than $5 million
- JAPAN remained the second largest market; however, shipments there declined to only $143 million from the previous high of $207 million
- MEXICO’s economy continues to recover, leading to increased demand for U.S. vegetables. Exports $14 million, reaching $42 million, the largest value in 5 years when shipments reached $46 million. Onions and lettuce led the way
- Again, the nearly Caribbean islands, taken together, are a major Florida market
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