U.S. imports of fresh vegetables jumped 13% in 2020, amid the pandemic, which may have contributed to the increase. The news comes from new statistics issued by the USDA.
During the 2020 calendar year, the total U.S. import value of 23 major fresh vegetables was $9.7 billion, up 13% from 2019.
2020 import values of asparagus, celery, endive and carrots were down compared with 2019, but every other vegetable commodity tracked scored gains. The value of U.S. tomato imports was up 22%, with fresh potato imports up 30% in value and garlic imports up 18% in value compared with 2019:
2020 import values, with percent changed from 2019, are:
- Tomatoes; $2.8 billion, up 22%;
- Peppers: $1.79 billion, up 7%;
- Cucumbers: $909.9 million, up 10%;
- Asparagus: $650.5 million, down 6%;
- Squash: $473.1 million, up 22%;
- Onions: $464.1 million, up 3%;
- Lettuce: $407.6 million, up 11%;
- Cauliflower and Broccoli: $380.6 million, up 10%;
- Potatoes: $271.5 million, up 30%;
- Garlic: $219.3 million, up 18%;
- Beans: $177.4 million, up 17%;
- Carrots: $103.1 million, down 9%;
- Cabbage: $90.5 million, up 34%;
- Peas: $89.9 million, up 18%;
- Eggplant: 84.1 million, up 18%;
- Celery: $69.1 million, down 9%;
- Okra: $44.1 million, no change;
- Radishes: $30.7 million, up 21%; and
- Endive: $3.5 million, down 25%.