The United States is the second largest producer of spinach in the world behind China. Chinese spinach production accounted for 85 percent of world production in 2004 while U.S. production accounted for 3 percent (Source: FAO).
In 2004, California accounted for 69 percent of the nation's 40,600 harvested acres devoted to fresh spinach and 63 percent of the 12,400 harvested acres used for freezing and canning spinach. Since 1992, acreage of fresh spinach has trended upward while acreage of spinach used for processing has trended slightly downward. While acreage of fresh spinach has increased since 1992, the value of fresh spinach production has increased at a greater rate. In 1996, fresh spinach production was valued at $56.7 million. By 2004, this value has increased to $245.7 million. This increase is due largely to strengthening demand that exceeded production increase and higher prices. February 2006 . . . Spinach
- Fresh Market Spinach, Commodity Highlight, ERS, USDA.
- Vegetables and Melons, Briefing Room, ERS, USDA.
- Vegetables and Melons Outlook, ERS, USDA.
- Vegetables Annual Summary, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- Wild Pigs in California: The Issues. Marcia Kreith. AIC Issues Brief No. 33, December 2007. The story of the wild pig in California, its economic and environmental impacts and evolving policy concerns.
Links checked February 2008.