Driven by an increase in pricing, the value of U.S. avocado imports soared by 38% in the 12-month period ending May 31.
The increase in the value of avocados is part of an overall 16% increase in U.S. fruit import value over the past year.
U.S. imports of avocados were valued at $3.43 billion from June 2021 through May 2022, up 38% from a year ago.
The gain in value was led by price, not volume.
The USDA reported the total volume of U.S. avocado imports for the period was 1.11 million metric tons, down 8% from the same period a year ago.
In contrast, the USDA said the value of avocado imports was $3,247 per metric ton, or $1.48 per pound. That is up 57% from the same period a year ago.
USDA trade numbers show that total U.S. fresh/frozen fruit imports totaled $18.98 billion for the period from June 2021 through May 2022, up 16% compared with a year ago.
Meanwhile, the USDA said imports of fresh vegetables from June 2021 through May 2022 totaled $10.86 billion, up 5% compared with the same period last year.
Berry good
At $4.07 billion, the value of U.S. imports of berries (excluding strawberries) topped all fruit and was up 16% compared with a year ago and berry imports were nearly double the value of 2017 imports.
Value numbers for U.S fruit imports from June 2021 through May 2022, with the percentage change compared with a year ago, are as follows:
- All fruit: $18.98 billion, up 16%
- Berries (excluding strawberries): $4.07 billion, up 16%
- Avocados: $3.43 billion, up 38%
- Bananas/plantains: $2.46 billion: up 1%
- Grapes: $2.078 billion, up 14%
- Citrus: $1.86 billion, up 26%
- Strawberries: $1.42 billion, up 5%
- Pineapples: $822.1 million, up 14%
- Mangoes: $749.2 million, 8%
- Melons: $689.6 million, up 10%
- Kiwifruit: $218.7 million, up 28%
- Apples: $185.4 million, up 19%
- Pears: $110.8 million, up 4%
Value numbers for U.S vegetable imports, with the percentage change compared with a year ago, are as follows:
- All fresh vegetables: $10.8 billion, up 5%
- Tomatoes: $2.75 billion: down 1%
- Peppers: $1.86 billion, no change
- Cucumbers: $1.03 billion, up 9%
- Asparagus: $663.8 million, down 2%
- Onions: $562.7 million, up 15%
- Lettuce: $508.9 million, up 16%
- Cauliflower and broccoli: $430.17 million, up 9%
- Squash: $382.4 million, down 2%
- Potatoes: $304.9 million, up 18%
