Berry per capita availability growth shines

The berry category is sizzling hot.

The USDA reports that the gains in retail per capita consumption for berries have been very strong compared with many other fresh fruits.

According to the USDA, retail per capita consumption of blueberries has increased 97% in the past 10 years, growing from 1.2 pounds in 2011 to 2.3 pounds in 2022.

Raspberries have shown even more remarkable percentage growth, gaining 192% from 0.3 pounds in 2011 to 0.8 pounds in 2021.

Strawberry consumption also continues to grow, though at a slower percentage pace compared with blueberries and raspberries. Strawberry consumption grew from 4.6 pounds in 2011 to 6.7 pounds in 2021, a gain of 45%.

Here is a list of fresh fruits, with per capita growth since 2011, as reported by the USDA.

Growth in per capita availability from 2011 to 2021: (retail per capita availability in 2021 in pounds, with the percentage change from 2011)

• Raspberries: 0.8 pound, up 192%.
• Blueberries: 2.3 pounds, up 97%.
• Limes: 4.4 pounds, up 86%.
• Tangerines and tangelos: 6.6 pounds, up 69%.
• Avocados: 7.9 pounds, up 64%.
• Strawberries: 6.7 pounds, up 45%.
• Mangoes: 3.5 pounds, up 44%.
• Lemons: 4.7 pounds, up 42%.
• Kiwifruit: 0.7 pound, up 39%.
• Pineapples: 7.5 pounds, up 38%.
• Papayas: 1.3 pounds, up 28%.
• Grapes: 7.7 pounds, up 15%.
• Total citrus: 25.1 pounds, up 14%.
• Cherries: 1.3 pounds, up 10%.
• Total fresh fruit: 131.8 pounds, up 9%.
• Total non-citrus: 106.7 pounds, up 8%.
• Bananas: 26.9 pounds, up 5%.
• Apples: 15.2 pounds, up 2%.
• Pears: 3 pounds, down 3%.
• Melons: 19 pounds, down 13%.
• Oranges: 7.9 pounds, down 18%.
• Apricots: 0.1 pound, down 21%.
• Plums and prunes: 0.5 pound, down 42%.
• Grapefruit: 1.4 pounds, down 46%.
• Peaches and nectarines: 2.3 pounds, down 47%.