The United States is global so far is the largest importer of fresh fruit and vegetables and imports continue to grow, according to this analysis of Fruits & Vegetables Facts. Also in the first half of this year. In 2021, the United States will import 21.5 million tons of fresh fruit and vegetables. Germany is the second largest importer in the world with an amount of about 9 million tons. In the first half of this year, imports from the United States grew by 3%.

More than half of imports come from neighboring Mexico. However, in the first half of this year, imports from within the country lagged slightly from the first half of last year. The top 3 imports from Mexico are tomatoes, peppers and avocados
Other major suppliers to the United States are Guatemala (mainly bananas), Costa Rica (pineapple and bananas), Canada (cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers) and Ecuador (mainly
banana).

More and more from Peru; import recovery from Chile
Peru and Chile are resp. 5th and 7th supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables to the United States. Imports from Peru continued to grow. This year 18% more than last in the first half
year and every year the limit of 1 million tons will be exceeded. Grapes and onions are the main products imported from Peru. Blueberry is now No. 3. Last year, for the first time, it was more than 100,000 tons. Asparagus, avocado, banana and mandarin are other important imports from Peru. Imports from Chile appear to have passed their peak, but in the first half of the year, imports from Chile grew by more than 10%. Wine is by far the most important product. Until a few years ago, peppers imported from the Netherlands were less than 20,000 tons, but last year only 1,400 tons. Onions (6,100 tonnes) and red beets (5,300 tonnes) were more important last year.

Fewer exports; lots of sweet potatoes to Holland
The United States is also a major exporter. It involves about 6 million tons per year. Exports declined, especially exports of domestic products. Re-exports continued to increase, but stagnated in the first half. Re-export mainly about bananas to Canada. Canada is also by far the leading country in the export of products grown in the United States
main customer. Mexico is number two and far behind are Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The Netherlands and England will follow after that. This is especially the case with sweet potatoes.

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For more information:
Jan Kees Boon
Fruit and Vegetable Facts
www.fruitandvegetablefacts.com
fruitvegfacts@gmail.com