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New Media Resources:
Pumpkin Markets
ERS provides economic analyses and data on vegetables and pulses
for the fresh market and for processing use, including the
following:
- Current and historical data on supply, use, value, prices, and
trade for the sector and for individual commodities;
- Bimonthly outlook reports that give current intelligence and
forecasts on changing conditions in the U.S. vegetable and pulses
sector; and
- In-depth analyses of production, consumption, global production
and trade, prices, and conditions and events affecting the
vegetable and pulse sector and specific commodities.
The U.S. vegetable and pulse sector comprises hundreds of
independent markets within the food marketing system. During the
first 8 years of the 2000s, U.S. farm cash receipts from the sale
of vegetables and pulses (including potatoes) averaged $17.4
billion--14 percent of U.S. crop cash receipts. This quantity was
generated on less than 2 percent of all U.S. harvested
acreage. Annual per capita use of vegetables and pulses in
the same period was 2 percent higher than a decade earlier.
One way to classify the vegetable industry is by the two major
end uses: fresh market and processing. Processing can be further
divided into canning, freezing, and dehydrating. For most
vegetables, growing for processing is distinct from producing for
the fresh market. Generally, little diversion takes place between
the fresh and processing markets in the United States. Most
varieties grown for processing are better adapted to mechanical
harvesting and often do not have characteristics desirable for
fresh-market sale. For example, processing tomatoes are generally
smaller and possess different internal attributes (such as soluble
solids) than most fresh varieties (except plum types). Most
vegetables destined for processing are grown under contractual
arrangements between growers and processors, whereas contracting
for fresh market sales, although increasing, is still less common.
About half of all vegetable production is destined for
processing.
According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, U.S. vegetable
farms are largely individually owned and relatively small, with
three-fourths of the 69,172 farms that produce vegetables
harvesting fewer than 15 acres. However, relatively few farms
account for most commercial sales of vegetables. About 9 percent of
operations classified as vegetable farms had sales over $500,000,
yet these farms accounted for 90 percent of the value of vegetables
sold by growers.
Vegetable and pulse production (including potatoes, sweet
potatoes, and mushrooms) occurs throughout the United States, with
the largest acreage in California, North Dakota (primarily potatoes
and pulse crops), Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Washington, and
Wisconsin. More than half of all vegetable production occurs on
irrigated acreage. The Upper Midwest (Wisconsin, Minnesota, and
Michigan) and the Pacific States (California, Washington, and
Oregon) report the largest vegetable acreage for processing, while
California, Florida, Arizona, Georgia, and New York harvest the
largest acreage for the fresh market.
California and Florida produce the largest selection and
quantity of fresh vegetables. California also produces vegetables
for processing (especially tomatoes), while the Upper Midwest
States (Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota) grow a large portion of
the green peas, snap beans, and sweet corn used in canning.
Northwestern States (Washington, Oregon, and Idaho) along with New
York supply the largest share of frozen vegetables and more than
half the potatoes. Significant potato production also takes place
in Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Colorado. North Carolina,
California, and Mississippi produce more than three-fourths of the
sweet potato crop. Pennsylvania and California raise the majority
of the Nation's mushrooms.
Climate causes most domestic fruit and vegetable production to
be seasonal, with the largest harvests occurring during the summer
and fall. Imports supplement domestic supplies, especially of fresh
products during the winter, resulting in increased choices for
consumers. For example, Florida produces the majority of domestic
warm-season vegetables like fresh tomatoes during the winter and
spring, while California produces the bulk of U.S. output in the
summer and fall. Fresh tomato imports, primarily from Mexico and
Canada (largely hothouse), boost total supply during the first half
of the year and compete directly with winter and early spring
production from Florida.
Vegetable yields have been rising. The major source of higher
yields has been the introduction of more prolific hybrid varieties,
many of which exhibit improved disease resistance as well as
increased fruit set. The adoption of precision-farming techniques,
including the adoption of drip irrigation, plastic mulches, row
covers and high tunnels, more effective pesticide sprays,
high-density planting, use of global positioning systems (GPS), and
other methodological improvements have also boosted yields and
enhanced quality.
Over the longer run, shifting from less productive areas to
better yielding areas has also contributed to higher U.S. average
yields. For example, much of the U.S. potato and onion production
has moved from lower yielding Eastern States to more productive
Western States, which also offer lower unit production costs.
Vegetable output is expected to rise faster than population
growth over the next decade because of continued emphasis on health
and nutrition, resulting in expanding consumer demand. In 1992, the
fruit and vegetable industry, in cooperation with the National
Cancer Institute, embarked on a campaign (the National 5-A-Day for
Better Health Program, now called "Fruits & Veggies--More
Matters") to increase awareness of, and substantially expand, U.S.
fruit and vegetable consumption. This effort has been joined by the
Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act of 2004 and various provisions
in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008,
which, among other things, seeks to enhance the domestic
consumption of vegetables, melons, and fruit. These programs,
together with grassroots industry promotion efforts and the
strengthened message of the USDA MyPlate, will continue to educate
consumers on the benefits of a balanced diet that includes a
variety of vegetables and melons.