In terms of the value of sales, the fruit and vegetable subsector is one of the top three crop production industries in the United States, along with grain and oilseed production. The output and variety of fruits and vegetables have been increasing in the past years, driven by the domestic and international demand for these products.

Production of fruits and vegetables is concentrated on large farms (with sales exceeding $1 million per year) that respectively account for 87 and 75 percent of all vegetables and fruits harvested in the United States.

The high economic efficiency of the fruits and vegetables subsector is inter alia accounted for by the advanced agricultural science and extension services, including the use of innovation technologies, and the reasonable spatial distribution of the crops. The combination of said factors enables the United States to retain the status of a world leader in the production and exports of fruits and vegetables, with as little as 3 percent of the country’s arable land being used for these crops.

The United States is a net importer of fruits and vegetables. The existing trade agreements with Canada, Mexico and a number of Latin American countries make it possible for the United States to import low duty or duty-free fruits and vegetables, including from tropical areas. Owing to the country’s flexible international trade policy and practices, the American population enjoys having fruits, vegetables, melons, as well as dry pulses crops, potatoes, nuts, berries, and mushrooms throughout the year, both fresh and processed.