Other than chipping potatoes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Market News Service did not report any fruit and vegetable shipment figures from Ohio in 2020. Don’t be deceived to believe that the state is devoid of fresh produce.
Despite the absence of Ohio from USDA shipment totals, the state is a heavyweight fresh produce shipper, moving big volumes of fruits and vegetables from May through November.
According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, Ohio ranked No. 20 in production of vegetables, melons, potatoes and sweet potatoes, with $148.8 million in sales. 2017 sales of fruits nuts and berries totaled $44.52 million, also ranking No. 20 among 50 states.
Strong outlook
This year, shippers of Ohio vegetables reported near optimum growing conditions through early June, with acreage stable compared with a year ago. Expected strong foodservice demand with the easing of pandemic restrictions also is a reason for optimism, shippers say.
By June 8, Ohio vegetables such as zucchini and yellow squash were beginning to arrive at DNO Produce, said Alex DiNovo, president and chief operating officer of the Columbus, Ohio-based company. “We’re getting ready for everything to come out,” DiNovo said, noting that expected peak supply will be July and August.
The Ohio Proud program, from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, does a good job of marketing Ohio-grown produce to the state’s consumers, he said, and retailers also are active with Ohio Proud promotions.
