Vegetables
Fresh
Fresh vegetable and melon production for 24 selected crops in 2008 totaled 449 million hundredweight, down 2 percent from last year. The value of the 2008 crop was estimated at $10.4 billion, up 4 percent from 2007. In terms of production, the three largest crops were onions, head lettuce and watermelons, which combined to account for 37 percent of the total production. Tomatoes, head lettuce and onions claimed the highest values, accounting for 32 percent of the total value when combined. California continued to be the leader in fresh vegetable and melon production, accounting for 49 percent of annual fresh vegetable and melon output. (Vegetables Annual Summary, NASS, USDA, 2009.)
Processed
Production of eight selected vegetables used for processing decreased 2 percent to 17.5 million tons in 2008. The value of these processing vegetables, however, rose 15 percent to $1.9 billion. In terms of quantity, the three largest crops were tomatoes, sweet corn and snap beans, which together accounted for 91 percent of the eight processing crops. The three most valuable of these processed vegetables were tomatoes, sweet corn and cucumbers, which together accounted for 79 percent of the total value. In terms of processed vegetables, California again led the nation in production and value, followed by Wisconsin, Minnesota, Washington and Michigan. (Vegetables Annual Summary, NASS, USDA, 2009.)
Topics
Related Links
Organic Vegetables, Potatoes, and Melons Harvested from Certified and Exempt Organic Farms: 2008, 2008 Organic Production Survey, National Ag Statistics Service (NASS), USDA, 2010.
Vegetables, Potatoes, and Melons Harvested for Sale: 2007 and 2002, 2007 Census of Agriculture - State Data, NASS, USDA, 2009.
