U.S. fresh fruit imports surge while U.S. produce exports score modest gains

U.S. imports of fruits jumped 15% in 2021, while trade numbers show U.S. exports of both fresh fruits and vegetables scored modest gains of 4%.

U.S. fresh and frozen fruit imports in 2021 totaled $17.5 billion, up 15% from 2020 and up 16% from 2019. Fresh vegetable imports for the U.S. totaled $10.6 billion, up 5% from 2020 and up 18% from 2019, the USDA numbers said.

Meanwhile, U.S. exports of fresh fruit were $4.48 billion in 2021, up 4% from $4.32 billion in 2020 and up 2% from 2019. Fresh vegetable exports from the U.S. were $2.68 billion in 2020, up 4% from $2.57 billion in 2020 and about unchanged from 2019.

By origin country, U.S. imports of fruits and vegetables and their percent change compared with 2020, were: 

• Mexico: fruit: $8.7 billion, up 20%; vegetables: $7.49 billion, up 6%;
• Canada: fruit: $458 million, up 10%; vegetables: $1.98 billion, up 5%;
• Peru: fruit: $1.76 billion, up 12%; vegetables: $360.3 million, up 6%;
• Chile: fruit: $1.95 billion, up 11%; vegetables: $2.35 million, up 19%;
• Guatemala: fruits: $1.28 billion, up 8%; vegetables: $197.2 million, up 15%; and 
• Costa Rica: fruits: $1.7 billion, up 8%; vegetables: $74.15 million, up 5%.

Leading customers for U.S. fruit and vegetable exports in 2021 and their percent change compared with 2020, were: 

• Canada: vegetables: $1.97 billion, up 4%; fruit: $1.74 billion, up 10%;
• Mexico: fruit: $748.3 million, up 37%; vegetables: $223.7 million, up 3%;
• South Korea: fruit: $435.6 million, down 4%; vegetables: $20.1 million, down 7%;
• Japan: fruit: $301.1 million, down 4%; vegetables: $71.8 million, up 26%;
• Taiwan: fruit: $207.6 million, up 6%; vegetables: $59.3 million, down 10%;
• Hong Kong: fruit: $145.7 million, down 19%; vegetables: $5.3 million, down 40%;
• China: fruit: $111 million, no change; vegetables: $363,000, down 70%;
• Vietnam: fruit: $100.2 million, down 26%; vegetables: $334,000, down 88%; and 
• Australia: fruit: $89 million, down 7%; vegetables: $10.5 million, up 29%.