U.S. fresh fruit exports wobble
The value of U.S. fresh fruit exports declined 7% for the year from July 2021 through June 2022, USDA statistics show.
Strong gains in berry sales and a modest increase in global sales for apples were more than offset by weaker sales for cherries, grapes and citrus, the USDA numbers showed.
U.S. fresh fruit export sales for the 12-month period from July 2021 through June 2022 were $4.18 billion, down 7% from a year ago and down 5% from two years ago.
Berry exports showed big growth, with U.S. fresh berry exports valued at $834.2 million for the period from July 2021 through June 2022, up 11% from the previous year and 16% above two years ago.
U.S. export sales of fresh apples totaled $922.7 million for the period, up 3% compared with the same time a year ago.
Citrus exports showed a big decline for the period, with trade statistics showing sales of $788.5 million, down 15% compared with a year ago. Oranges and tangerines alone tallied export sales of $564 million, down 18% compared with a year ago.
Grapes also took a step back, with sales for the July through June period at $645 million, down 10% compared with a year ago.
Cherry exports for the 12-month period were $333.9 million, down 38% from a year ago.
Modest bounce
On the other hand, U.S. fresh vegetable exports were reported at $2.76 billion for the July through June period, up 5% compared with a year ago. Lettuce exports were pegged at $572 million, up 11% from a year ago and up 12% from two years ago.
U.S. global sales of fresh potatoes were $283 million, up 11% from a year ago. Fresh onion exports also enjoyed a double-digit gain, rising 15% from $213 million last year to $245 million this year.
