WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — U.S. consumers are increasingly relying on imported fruits and vegetables, creating new competitive pressures for American growers, according to a new analysis soon to be released by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).
Farm Bureau economist Danny Munch joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report ahead of the report release to discuss the findings.
In his exclusive interview with RFD News, Munch said fresh fruit and vegetable imports have each increased about 70 percent since 2010, while U.S. fruit production has declined 32 percent and vegetable production has fallen 10 percent.
In 2023, imports accounted for about 60 percent of fresh fruit and 35 percent of fresh vegetables available to U.S. consumers. Those shares were about 50 percent and 20 percent, respectively, in 2010.
Imports help fill seasonal gaps and provide consumers with fresh produce year-round. However, Munch says the timing of those imports is becoming a growing concern for domestic producers.
Historically, imports primarily supplemented U.S. production during periods when domestic crops were out of season. Now, foreign supplies are increasingly arriving during the same windows when American growers are harvesting.
For example, blueberry imports from March through May have increased 350 percent over the past decade. Strawberry imports during the November-through-March period have more than doubled, overlapping with Florida’s harvest. Fresh tomato imports from June through October have increased 64 percent, coinciding with California’s primary production season.
At the same time, U.S. specialty crop producers are facing higher production costs. Farm Bureau says pesticide costs have increased 25 percent since 2020, fertilizer costs are up 31 percent, and labor costs have risen 50 percent.
Munch says those higher costs make it increasingly difficult for domestic growers to compete with imported produce, particularly when foreign supplies enter the U.S. market during the domestic harvest season.
He says maintaining a strong domestic produce industry will require addressing those cost pressures and creating a more level playing field for American farmers. For consumers, Munch also encouraged shoppers to consider purchasing domestically grown produce when possible to help support U.S. growers.
