Trade numbers through October show little change in U.S. fresh produce export shipments compared with a year ago, while U.S. imports of fresh fruits and vegetables had a modest increase in the last 12 months.
The USDA reported total exports of fresh produce from November 2022 through October 2023 totaled $6.9 billion, up 1% compared with a year ago but down 4% from 2018.
U.S. vegetable exports were rated at $2.8 billion for the period, down 1% for the period but up 9% from 2018; fresh fruit exports totaled $4.2 billion, up 2% compared with a year ago but down 11% compared with 2018.
U.S. imports of fresh produce totaled $32 billion from November 2022 through October 2023, up 5% from a year ago and 43% higher than 2018.
U.S. fresh fruit imports were pegged at $19.5 billion, up 1% from the previous year and up 40% from 2018; imports of fresh vegetables were valued at $12.5 billion, up 12% from a year a ago and 50% higher than 2018.
Top U.S. exports for November 2022 through October 2023, compared with 2022 and 2018.
- Apples — $869.1 million, down 1% from 2018 and down 18% from 2018.
- Berries — $798.8 million, down 3% from 2022 but 12% above 2018.
- Grapes — $622.6 million, down 4% from 2022 but down 18% from 2018.
- Oranges — $593.2, up 8% from 2022 but down 16% from 2018.
- Lettuce — $592.1 million, up 1% from a year ago and up 23% from 2018.
Top U.S. imports for November 2022 through October 2023, compared with 2022 and 2018.
- Berries (excluding strawberries) — $4.2. billion, down 1% from 2022 but up 74% from 2018.
- Tomatoes — $3.2 billion, up 15% from 2022 and up 34% from 2018.
- Avocados — $2.88 billion, down 17% from 2022 but up 20% from 2018.
- Bananas — $2.75 billion, up 10% from 2022 and 12% higher than 2018.
- Grapes — $2.3 billion, up 7% from 2022 and up 46% from 2018.