U.S. imports of Mexican vegetables show growth
U.S. imports of Mexican fresh vegetables enjoyed a strong year in 2022-23, however, USDA numbers say the value of U.S. imports of Mexican fresh fruit was flat compared with 2021-22.
Based on trade numbers for the 12-month period from October 2022 through September 2023, total U.S. imports of Mexican vegetables increased 14% from $7.7 billion in 2021-22 to $8.7 billion in 2022-23.
Total fruit imports from Mexico increased slightly by 1% from $9.6 billion in 2021-22 to $9.7 billion in 2022-23, according to the USDA.
Stronger U.S. imports of Mexican grapes, strawberries and other berries and melons offset a decline in the value of U.S. avocado imports.
Some highlights of the 2022-23 (October 2022 through September 2023) trade numbers, compared with the previous season, for U.S. imports of Mexican fresh produce are:
- The largest vegetable percentage increase was in lettuce, up 29% from $466 million to $603 million.
- Cucumber imports increased 20% from $676 million to $812 million.
- Cauliflower and broccoli imports rose 26% from $380 million to $480 million.
- Tomato imports increased 16% from $2.4 billion to $2.8 billion.
- Pepper imports rose 8% from $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion.
- Beans, cabbage, peas and carrots all saw double-digit percentage increases in imports. Beans rose 21%, cabbage 6%, peas 26%, and carrots 14%.
- Onions saw no change, remaining at $411 million in imports.
- Asparagus declined 10% from $390 million to $350 million.
- “Other” vegetables increased 13% from $652 million to $738 million.
- For fruit, grapes saw the largest increase at 26%, rising from $659 million to $833 million.
- Strawberry imports were up 14% from $1.2 billion to $1.4 billion.
- Berries, excluding strawberries, increased 8% from $2.5 billion to $2.7 billion.
- Melon imports rose 7% from $404 million to $434 million.
- Other fruits increased 9% from $278 million to $301 million.
- Citrus fruit imports edged up 1% from $789 million to $799 million.
- Mango imports rose 3% from $464 million to $478 million.
- Avocado imports decreased 16% from $3.1 billion to $2.6 billion.
- Pineapple imports declined 4% from $50 million to $47 million.
