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World Horticultural Trade and U.S. Export Opportunities
January 1998 Issue
U.S. Horticultural Exports Achieve 13th Consecutive Record in Fiscal Year 1997
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 1998--U.S. exports of horticultural products to all countries in
October totaled $1.0 billion, down 6 percent from the same month a year earlier. During
October 1997, only 7 out of the 15 categories registered increases. The tree nut category
accounted for most of the decrease month-to-month. U.S. exports of tree nuts during
October 1997 were $205 million, down 22 percent from October 1996. Within that category,
U.S. exports of unshelled walnuts and shelled/prepared almonds accounted for the decline.
Categories with the most significant increases in October were fresh citrus (up $10.7
million, or 31 percent), nursery products (up $6.3 million, or 37 percent), and wine (up
$6.3 million, or 19 percent). Other categories with significant declines in October were
non-citrus fresh fruits (down 8 percent), dried fruits (down 19 percent), frozen fruits
(down 12 percent), and the miscellaneous category (down 4 percent). Of the miscellaneous
category, ginseng declined to $9.8 million in October 1997, versus $19.7 million in
October 1996.
U.S. horticultural product exports in fiscal year (FY) 1997 reached a 13th
consecutive annual record, $10.6 billion, up 6 percent from FY 1996. Canada was the top
U.S. market, with sales of $2.87 billion in FY 1997, 10 percent above FY 1996. Fresh
vegetables were the largest U.S. horticultural export to Canada, accounting for 25 percent
of the total. The European Union (EU) was second at $2.17 billion, up 1 percent from FY
1996. Edible tree nuts were the largest U.S. export to the EU, accounting for 32 percent
of U.S. exports there. Exports to Japan, the third-largest U.S. market, decreased 5
percent in FY 1997 to $1.83 billion, due primarily to the strong U.S. dollar. Fresh citrus
and frozen vegetables were the largest exports to Japan, accounting for about 28 percent
of total U.S. exports.
Rising incomes in many countries, tariff reductions around the world resulting from the
Uruguay Round Agreement, and ongoing Market Access Program activities have continued to
propel demand for U.S. horticultural products and diversified the number of large export
markets. The share of U.S. horticultural exports to the top three markets decreased to 65
percent in FY 1997 from 72 percent in FY 1990, while the share of U.S. exports to all
other countries increased to 35 percent from 28 percent during the same time period.
Substantial increases since FY 1990 occurred, for example, to Hong Kong, the
fourth-largest U.S. market (up 127 percent); Mexico, the fifth top market (up 196
percent); Taiwan, the sixth market (up 108 percent); South Korea, the seventh top market
(up 268 percent); Brazil, the number 8 market (up 601 percent); and the Philippines, the
number 9 market (up 146 percent).
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