By Hayley Boriss, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California.

Revised March 2011.


Overview
Native to the Mediterranean region, artichokes were brought to the United States in the 1800s and first grown in Louisiana by French immigrants and in California by the Spanish. Today artichokes are grown almost exclusively in California, which accounts for more than 99 percent of national production.

Marketing
The marketable portion of the artichoke is the result of harvesting an immature flower. If left to mature, artichokes blossom into a bright purple inedible flower. Artichokes are marketed as fresh, frozen or canned products.

The appearance of fresh artichokes is an important aspect to marketing. Cleanliness, compactness and no evidence of frost damage all enhance the appearance (Sims et al.). Any defects on the vegetable may make it difficult to sell, despite the fact that eating quality is not necessarily affected.

The state-chartered California Artichoke Board was originally created for generic promotion, research and grower cooperation. Since 1999, however, the majority of its resources have been invested in research. The Marketing Order for Artichokes is voted on every five years.

Demand
According to ERS, per person consumption of fresh artichokes was 1.5 pounds in 2009.

Demand for artichokes is highest during the winter season, which also coincides with the period of low supply. The nutritional benefits of artichokes include high levels of chromium, fiber, folate, magnesium, potassium and vitamin C. Artichokes contain no fat or cholesterol. Current research indicates that the liver benefits from Cynarin, a compound found in artichoke’s leaves. Silymarin, another compound found in artichokes, has powerful anti-oxidant properties and may help the liver regenerate healthy tissue (Pezzini Farms 2008).

Production
The artichoke, a thistle-like plant, thrives best in frost-free areas with cool and foggy summers (Simms et al.). The predominant variety of artichoke in California is the Green Globe, which is planted as a perennial, though other varieties are also planted as annuals through direct seeding or transplants, depending on the region (Schrader and Mayberry 1997). These annuals include the Imperial Star, Big Heart and Desert Globe.

According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture (2009), 118 farms harvested more than 9,600 acres of fresh-market artichokes in 2007. In 2009, artichokes were harvested on 8,600 acres. U.S. production is concentrated in California, with limited production also occurring in Washington and Oregon. Total production in 2009 was 1.2 million cwt, and the crop was valued at $63.3 million.  (ERS 2010)

As of 2007, the United States was ranked sixth in terms of global production, accounting for 3 percent of the world total. The world’s largest artichoke producer was Italy, followed by Spain and Argentina.  (ERS 2009)

Prices
Artichoke prices in the United States are seasonal and affected by periods of high and low supply. Prices typically peak during the winter months when supply is low, and they drop in March as production reaches its peak. During high production months, smaller artichokes are processed into marinated artichoke hearts in an attempt to increase revenue during times of low prices. Artichoke prices reached $80.70 per cwt in 2004 but declined to $56.60 per cwt in 2009 (NASS 2010).

Exports
In 2005 U.S. artichoke exports totaled just over $4.5 million. The country is the fourth largest exporter, providing 7 percent of world exports. The largest exporter of artichokes is Spain, followed by France and Egypt.

Canada is the leading export market for U.S. artichokes, followed by Mexico. Combined, these two countries account for nearly the entire U.S. export market. However, exports are negligible compared to imports.

Imports
The United States is a net importer of artichokes. The country imported 53,894 metric tons (MT) of prepared artichokes in 2008, down 2 percent from the previous year. Peru was the leading supplier, providing 50 percent of the artichokes, followed by Spain and Chile. (Until 2007, Spain had accounted for the majority of U.S. artichoke imports.) However, imports of prepared artichokes peaked at 58,795 MT in 2006 and have slowly declined since then.  (FAS)


Sources
Artichokes, Vegetables, Potatoes, and Melons Harvested for Sale: 2007 and 2002, 2007 Census of Ag - State Data, National Ag Statistics Service (NASS), USDA, 2009.

California Artichoke Advisory Board.

California  Artichokes, 1925-2007, California Historic Commodity Data, NASS, California Field Office, USDA.

Global Ag Trade System, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), USDA.

Major Food and Agricultural Commodities and Producers, Statistics Divison, FAO, 2005.

Pezzini Farms, The artichoke capital of the world! Castroville, California.

Schrader, W. and K. Mayberry, Artichoke Production in California, University of California Vegetable Research and Information Center, Publication 7221, 1997.

Sims, W., Rubatzky, V., Sciaroni, R. and Lange, H., Growing Globe Artichokes in California, University of California Vegetable Research and Information Center.

Vegetables 2010 Summary, NASS, USDA, 2011.

Vegetables and Melons Outlook, Economic Research Service (ERS).

Vegetables and Melons Yearbook, ERS, USDA, 2010.

Created December 2005 and revised March 2011.