NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD News) — U.S. vegetable supplies still depend heavily on imports for some products, but that reliance is far from uniform. USDA’s latest outlook says imports accounted for about one-third of total U.S. vegetable availability in 2025, with much sharper dependence in a few key categories.
For fresh vegetables, Mexico supplied about 77 percent of imports and Canada about 13 percent. Tomatoes and cucumbers remained heavily import-dependent, while lettuce continued to rely mostly on domestic production.
Fresh vegetable availability, excluding potatoes, reached 148 pounds per person in 2025. That was nearly 3 pounds above the previous year, supported by higher production and lower exports.
Processing vegetable availability also moved higher. USDA estimated 102.7 pounds per person in 2025, up 7 percent from 2024, with tomatoes, sweet corn, and snap beans all showing year-over-year gains.
Potato availability slipped 2 percent to 112 pounds per person, while dry pulse availability rose 13.4 percent to 12.6 pounds per person. USDA said import dependence remains product-specific rather than broad across the sector.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Reliance on vegetable imports remains uneven, with domestic production still anchoring several major categories.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
From rising trade tensions in Europe to a pending Supreme Court decision on tariffs and shifting demand from China, global trade policy spearheaded by President Donald Trump continues to shape the outlook for U.S. agriculture—adding uncertainty as farmers navigate another volatile year.
January 20, 2026 01:14 PM
·
Congressional leaders signal momentum toward expanded, targeted farm aid to help producers manage losses and cash-flow stress in 2026.
January 20, 2026 11:48 AM
·
Trade volatility and shifting export destinations increase marketing risk for producers heading into 2026.
January 18, 2026 07:00 AM
·
Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
January 13, 2026 03:25 PM
·
China’s beef policy risk stems from domestic volatility, making export demand inherently unstable. Jake Charleston with Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on cattle markets, risk management, and producer sentiment.
January 13, 2026 02:13 PM
·
The “Wild, Wild West” of Taxes
January 09, 2026 09:00 AM
·
