U.S. imports of fresh vegetables from September 2019 through August were up 11%, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
While fresh vegetable imports were up by double-digit percentages, the USDA reported fresh and frozen fruit imports gained just 2% compared with the previous year.
Among vegetables with big import gains, the USDA said fresh garlic imports for the year ending in August were up 58% — the result of a COVID-19 immunity buying frenzy. Other double digit gains were noted for tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, potatoes and beans.
Fast-rising imports of fruit commodities were noted for mangoes (up 15%) and kiwifruit (up 19%),
By fresh commodities (except as noted), U.S. imports from September 2019 through August, with percent change compared with the previous year, are:
- Berries: $2.93 billion, up 5%;
- Tomatoes: $2.68 billion, up 17%;
- Avocados: $2.59 billion, down 2%;
- Fresh or frozen bananas/plantains: $2.45 billion, up 2%;
- Peppers: $1.73 billion, up 4%;
- Grapes: $1.67 billion: up 4%;
- Citrus: $1.30 billion, up 6%;
- Fresh or frozen strawberries: $1.05 billion, up 5%;
- Cucumbers: $894.9 million, up 10%;
- Fresh or frozen pineapples: $661.2 million, up 3%;
- Asparagus: $653 million, down 5%;
- Mangoes: $633.4 million, up 15%;
- Melons: $608.3 million, down 10%;
- Squash: $473.99 million, up 27%;
- Onions: $456.4 million, up 4%;
- Lettuce: $374.4 million, up 9%;
- Cauliflower and broccoli: $351.7 million, up 6%;
- Potatoes: $259.1 million, up 31%;
- Garlic: $234.8 million, up 58%;
- Beans: $165.45 million, up 15%;
- Kiwifruit: $159.88 million, up 19%;
- Apples: $153.6 million: down 27%; and
- Pears: $109.3 million, down 6%.
