Oranges lead U.S. export growth
U.S. fresh orange and tangerines showed the best year-over-year growth of any major fresh commodity in export sales in the year from May 2019 through April this year.
U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics show that U.S. orange and tangerine exports to all countries were up 13% compared with the same period a year ago.
U.S. fresh produce exports for the 12 months ending in March totaled $7.01 billion, down 1% compared with the year earlier. U.S. fresh fruit exports were $4.39 billion, unchanged from a year ago.
Fresh vegetable exports were $2.62 billion, down 1% compared with a year ago.
The USDA reported export sales for top U.S. fresh exports (May 2019 through April 2020), compared with percent change compared with 2019:
- Apples: $929.4 million, up 2%;
- Grapes: $728.5 million, down 7%;
- Berries: $711.4 million, up 2%;
- Oranges and tangerines: $653.2 million, up 13%;
- Lettuce: $515.3 million, up 3%;
- Cherries: $494.9 million, down 5%;
- Onions/Shallots: $206.2 million, down 10%;
- Lemons and Limes: $155.9 million, down 5%;
- Cauliflower: $154.6 million, down 6%;
- Pears: $154.6 million, down 4%;
- Melons: $136.3 million, down 13%;
- Peaches: $128.2 million, down 2%;
- Tomatoes: $117.48 million, up 4%;
- Carrots: $111.6 million, down 2%;
- Broccoli: $97.4 million: down 3%; and
- Celery: $97.05 million, down 8%.
