ISHS Acta Horticulturae 135: VII Symposium on Horticultural Economics, XXI IHC
SHIFTING PRODUCTION AREAS AND MARKETS FOR FOLIAGE PLANTS IN THE AMERICAS1 |
| Author: | Cecil N. Smith |
| Abstract:
Following very rapid growth, probably greater than that in any other segment of agriculture, in the early and mid-1970s, the tropical foliage industry in the United States experienced a peak in 1977 and for several years declined in real terms as consumer demand for its products lessened. During the 1970s the greatest growth in the foliage industry has occurred in Florida, California, and Texas. The 3 "Sun Belt" states now account for some 80% of the U.S. foliage output. An increasing share of U.S. foliage cuttings for propagation now comes from various areas in the Caribbean Basin. In 1975 some 28% of cuttings used in Florida came from this source. Now it is estimated that over 800 hectares in Latin America are devoted to foliage production. In real terms estimated per capita retail consumption in the United States rose from $1.01 in 1971 to $4.85 in 1977. Foliage sales, after a drop in the late '70s, are beginning to increase, but not at the rapid rate of the past decade. | |
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