USDA says organic vegetable imports mixed, exports down in 2023

Exports and imports of organic fresh vegetables showed mixed trends in the past year, according to USDA statistics.

According to the USDA’s vegetable outlook report in December, from January to October 2023 organic bell pepper (greenhouse and other) import volume was 84.3 million pounds, up 4% year over year. Approximately 63.6 million pounds were designated as greenhouse production, representing 75% of total organic bell pepper import volume.

Mexico continued to be the largest supplier of organic bell peppers, accounting for 85% (72 million pounds) of supply.

From January to October 2023, fresh organic garlic imports were 56% lower than the same period in 2022, and the lowest volume since 2013, the USDA said.

The organic share of fresh garlic imports has fluctuated between 1% and 7% of annual volume in recent years, the USDA said.

From January to October 2023, 138.3 million pounds of organic cucumbers were imported, 69% of which was designated as greenhouse production. These imports had a value of $107.6 million (10% of total fresh cucumber import value), according to the report.

Export numbers

The USDA said export volume for several organic vegetables in 2023 (January through October) fell for many commodities, such as broccoli, cauliflower, celery, romaine lettuce, spinach and peppers.

The report said exports of organic carrots increased by 7.6%, or 3 million pounds, from 2022 to 2023 (January through October). Since 2017, annual organic fresh carrot exports accounted for 31% of total carrot export value and 25% of volume. Conventional and organic carrot export volumes tend to peak in the spring. Though conventional export volumes drop in the fall, organic export volumes are relatively constant throughout the year, the report said.