Ports show mixed import trends in 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic created big demand for some vegetables as consumers cooked at home more.

Retail sales analysis by the Produce Marketing Association consistently reported that fresh vegetable retail sales outperformed fruit sales through the first few months of the pandemic.

In mid-March retail fresh vegetable sales were up 40%, year over year, while retail fresh fruit sales were up 28%. By June, fresh vegetables sales were trending 17% higher compared with a year ago, according to PMA, compared with about 10% higher for fruit.

The effect of the pandemic on imported supplies of fruits and vegetables was mixed, with vegetables showing stronger growth than fruit.

U.S. fresh vegetable imports from January through September totaled $7.56 billion, up 13% compared with the same period in 2019.

In contrast, U.S. fresh fruit imports (excluding bananas and plantains) totaled $8.99 billion from January through September, down 2%.

2020 U.S. imports of bananas and plantains during that period totaled $1.84 billion, up 2% compared with the same months in 2019.

Port volume through the first six months of 2020, compared with a year ago, reveals mixed trends, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Here are cargo trend highlights from selected ports.

Port of Seattle

Port of Seattle 2020 imports through June, compared with the same period in 2019:

Bananas: 58,301 metric tons, up 19% from 49,189 metric tons;
Pineapples: 1,366 metric tons, down 52% from 2,859 metric tons;
Deciduous fruit: 35,399 metric tons, up 9% from 32,490 metric tons;
Vegetables: 20,420 metric tons, up 27% from 16,035 metric tons;
Onions/shallots: 4,125 metric tons, up 135% from 1,231 metric tons.

Port of Seattle 2020 exports through June, compared with the same period in 2019:

Vegetables; 273,292 metric tons, down 16% from 326,183 metric tons;
Onions/shallots: 1,023 metric tons, down from 8,309 metric tons;
Deciduous fruit: 76,340 metric tons, unchanged from 76,364 metric tons; and
Berries: 2,396 metric tons, up 58% from 1,517 metric tons.

Port of Wilmington, Del.

Port of Wilmington 2020 imports through June, compared with the same period in 2019:

Bananas: 774,459 metric tons, up 4.6% from 740,266 metric tons;
Pineapples: 139,911 metric tons, down 10% compared with 154,957 metric tons;
Vegetables: 11,629 metric tons, down 12% compared 13,090 metric tons;
Berries: 2,848 metric tons, up 44% compared with 1,975 metric tons;
Deciduous fruit: 128,876 metric tons, down 4% compared with 134,040 metric tons;
Mandarin oranges: 18,518 metric tons, up 67% compared with 11,094 metric tons; and
Lemons: 953 metric tons, up 20% compared with 791 metric tons.

Port of Los Angeles

Port of Los Angeles 2020 exports through June, compared with same period in 2019:

Deciduous fruit: 8,074 metric tons, down 57% compared with 18,699 metric tons;
Vegetables: 8,373 metric tons, down 69% compared with 27,043 metric tons;
Oranges: 29,940 metric tons, down 22% compared with 38,372 metric ton;
Lemons: 6,503 metric tons, down 72% compared with 23,315 metric tons;
Edible nuts: 25,250 metric tons, down 60% compared with 63,343 metric tons; and
Cherries: 113 metric tons, down 62% compared with 294 metric tons.

Port of Philadelphia

Port of Philadelphia 2020 imports through June, compared with 2019:

Pineapples: 102,507 metric tons, up 39% compared with 73,665 metric tons;
Oranges: 42,980 metric tons, up 298% compared with 10,791 metric tons;
Onions/shallots; 10,774 metric tons, up 145% compared with 4,406 metric tons;
Mandarins: 15,528 metric tons, down 24% compared with 20,513 metric tons;
Lemons: 19,908 metric tons, up 59% compared with 12,504 metric tons;
Deciduous fruit: 350,412 metric tons, up 31% compared with 267,418 metric tons;
Berries: 46,647 metric tons, up 156% compared with 18,169 metric tons;
Bananas: 296,196 metric tons, up 42% compared with 207,522 metric tons; and
Vegetables: 16,625 metric tons, down 37% compared with 26,239 metric tons.

Port of New York

Port of New York 2020 imports through June, compared with 2019:

Vegetables: 298,760 metric tons, up 17% compared with 254,456 metric tons;
Oranges: 16,375 metric tons, up 31% compared with 12,469 metric tons;
Onions/shallots: 26,270 metric tons, up 376% compared with 5,512 metric tons;
Mandarins: 1,217 metric tons, down 85% compared with 8,188 metric tons;
Lemons: 13,780 metric tons down 6% compared with 14,660 metric tons;
Deciduous fruit: 86,918 metric tons, down 5% compared with 91,534 metric tons;
Asparagus: 5,048 metric tons, up 386% compared with 1,037 metric tons; and
Bananas: 62,489 metric tons, down 7% compared with 67,151 metric tons.

Port of Everglades, Fla.

Port of Everglades 2020 imports through June, compared with 2019:

Asparagus: 14,464 metric tons, up 226% compared with 4,428 metric tons;
Bananas: 170,861 metric tons, up 17% compared with 146,316 metric tons;
Berries: 94,693 metric tons, up 562% compared with 14,288 metric tons;
Deciduous fruit: 108,797 metric tons, down 40% compared with 180,496 metric tons;
Lemons: 3,897 metric tons, up 31% compared with 2,983 metric tons;
Onions/shallots: 3,125 metric tons, up 105% compared 1,522 metric tons;
Oranges: 2,897 metric tons, up 626% compared with 399 metric tons;
Pineapples: 26,156 metric tons, down 8% compared with 28,526 metric tons; and
Vegetables: 58,064 metric tons, up 7% compared with 54,320 metric tons.