ISHS Acta Horticulturae 318: II International Symposium on Specialty and Exotic Vegetable Crops
AN OVERVIEW OF PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY TRENDS IN THE U.S. SPECIALTY VEGETABLE MARKET |
| Author: | C. Greene |
| Abstract:
The U.S. specialty vegetable industry has been expanding for more than a decade as the demand for new and exotic vegetables, fresh-cut herbs, and organic produce has continued to grow. More than half a million metric tons of specialty vegetables were shipped in 1991, including herbs, fancy lettuce, and oriental, tropical, and Latin American vegetables. This is more almost four times the amount of specialty shipments in 1980. Sections of specialty vegetables became a mainstay in supermarkets during the 1980's, and fresh-cut herbs are becoming increasingly available. Also, although organic vegetables are still uncommon in mainstream supermarkets, sales in the natural food stores have expanded in recent years. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) began monitoring and reporting on this fast-growing segment of the vegetable industry about four years ago, using data from USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service and from state and industry reports. National-level production statistics on specialty vegetables are generally unavailable. Specialty vegetable shipments, arrivals of herbs into major cities, wholesale organic prices, imports, and California's specialty vegetable production are some of the statistics that have recently been added to USDA's Vegetables and Specialties Situation and Outlook Report to enhance our reporting on the specialty niche. | |
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