States that grow the most vegetables (2024)

States that grow the most vegetables (1)

By Stacker

Published: Jul. 22, 2023 at 1:50 PM MST

PHOENIX (Stacker) - When it comes to their daily greens, many Americans like to shop local. Unlike fruits, the U.S. is able to grow most of the vegetables it consumes domestically, and the market for home-grown produce has boomed over the past decade. Since the USDA began keeping an inventory of farmers’ markets across the U.S. nearly 10 years ago, the number of recorded markets has increased to 8,720, with total estimated annual sales ringing in at $1 billion.

No matter where you live, however, it is likely that the sprouts and spuds you’re perusing down the street were grown in one of just a select handful of locations. Ten states were responsible for 79% of U.S. vegetable sales in 2017; among those states, California on its own accounted for 42%. Among the vegetables that are imported, about three out of every four pounds of international vegetables come from Mexico.

Stacker cited data from the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Census, most recently completed in 2017, to identify the states producing the most vegetables. A few important caveats to note: Data on acreage for Kansas and Nevada was not available, so these two states are listed as unranked with information on the number of farms. States are ranked by the harvested acreage of vegetables for fresh consumption rather than processing. Items like potatoes are considered vegetables but often go on to processing rather than produce aisle sales and are thus not counted amongst statewide vegetable sales.

Read on to find out how much your state contributes to the number of fresh veggies on shelves at markets across the U.S.

States that grow the most vegetables (2)

Kansas (unranked)

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: Data not available
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 484
Acres harvested for processing: Data not available
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 50

States that grow the most vegetables (3)

Nevada (unranked)

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: Data not available
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 96
Acres harvested for processing: Data not available
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 18

States that grow the most vegetables (4)

#48. Wyoming

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 610 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 76 (8.0 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 7 acres (1.1% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 17 (0.4 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (5)

#47. South Dakota

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 827 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 189 (4.4 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 2 acres (0.2% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 5 (0.4 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (6)

#46. Alaska

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 1,006 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 260 (3.9 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 12 acres (1.2% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 25 (0.5 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (7)

#45. Rhode Island

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 2,078 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 208 (10.0 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 158 acres (7.1% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 33 (4.8 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (8)

#44. West Virginia

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 2,427 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 956 (2.5 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 224 acres (8.4% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 196 (1.1 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (9)

#43. Vermont

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 3,370 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 692 (4.9 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 83 acres (2.4% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 77 (1.1 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (10)

#42. New Hampshire

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 3,656 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 585 (6.2 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 39 acres (1.1% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 38 (1.0 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (11)

#41. Oklahoma

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 4,184 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 500 (8.4 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 2,677 acres (39.0% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 14 (191.2 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (12)

#40. Iowa

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 4,883 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,070 (4.6 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 2,822 acres (36.6% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 31 (91.0 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (13)

#39. Utah

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 5,742 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 639 (9.0 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 948 acres (14.2% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 96 (9.9 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (14)

#38. Hawaii

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 8,164 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 840 (9.7 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 415 acres (4.8% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 137 (3.0 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (15)

#37. Louisiana

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 8,264 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 741 (11.2 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 4,655 acres (36.0% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 143 (32.6 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (16)

#36. Missouri

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 8,418 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,373 (6.1 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 10,069 acres (54.5% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 217 (46.4 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (17)

#35. Kentucky

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 8,520 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 2,351 (3.6 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 442 acres (4.9% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 400 (1.1 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (18)

#34. Connecticut

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 9,017 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 957 (9.4 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 233 acres (2.5% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 60 (3.9 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (19)

#33. Arkansas

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 9,500 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 715 (13.3 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 1,562 acres (14.1% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 112 (13.9 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (20)

#32. Delaware

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 11,481 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 148 (77.6 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 22,069 acres (65.8% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 79 (279.4 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (21)

#31. Montana

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 11,682 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 380 (30.7 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 71 acres (0.6% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 52 (1.4 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (22)

#30. Maryland

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 12,171 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 881 (13.8 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 17,167 acres (58.5% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 135 (127.2 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (23)

#29. Alabama

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 13,999 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,482 (9.4 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 5,682 acres (28.9% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 10 (568.2 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (24)

#28. Nebraska

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 14,239 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 408 (34.9 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 9,026 acres (38.8% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 42 (214.9 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (25)

#27. Illinois

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 14,946 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,246 (12.0 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 46,462 acres (75.7% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 371 (125.2 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (26)

#26. New Mexico

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 17,003 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,476 (11.5 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 10,973 acres (39.2% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 224 (49.0 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (27)

#25. Tennessee

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 17,573 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,844 (9.5 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 10,116 acres (36.5% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 343 (29.5 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (28)

#24. Massachusetts

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 18,407 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,360 (13.5 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 608 acres (3.2% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 112 (5.4 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (29)

#23. Virginia

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 19,900 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,726 (11.5 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 2,765 acres (12.2% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 260 (10.6 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (30)

#22. Indiana

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 19,999 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,327 (15.1 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 20,149 acres (50.2% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 192 (104.9 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (31)

#21. Mississippi

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 22,656 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,247 (18.2 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 14,180 acres (38.5% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 287 (49.4 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (32)

#20. South Carolina

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 25,754 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,674 (15.4 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 4,564 acres (15.1% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 106 (43.1 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (33)

#19. Ohio

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 25,966 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 2,772 (9.4 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 9,331 acres (26.4% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 421 (22.2 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (34)

#18. Minnesota

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 28,581 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,634 (17.5 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 183,892 acres (86.5% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 1,257 (146.3 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (35)

#17. Maine

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 31,227 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,337 (23.4 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 31,013 acres (49.8% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 195 (159.0 acres per farm)

#16. North Dakota

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 36,332 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 186 (195.3 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 42,673 acres (54.0% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 80 (533.4 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (36)

#15. Pennsylvania

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 36,569 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 4,062 (9.0 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 11,495 acres (23.9% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 444 (25.9 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (37)

#14. Oregon

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 38,320 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,679 (22.8 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 115,707 acres (75.1% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 440 (263.0 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (38)

#13. New Jersey

- Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 41,005 acres
- Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,332 (30.8 acres per farm)
- Acres harvested for processing: 6,793 acres (14.2% of all vegetable production)
- Farms producing vegetables for processing: 159 (42.7 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (39)

#12. Wisconsin

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 57,915 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 2,404 (24.1 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 193,180 acres (76.9% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 832 (232.2 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (40)

#11. Michigan

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 63,867 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 2,808 (22.7 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 101,754 acres (61.4% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 631 (161.3 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (41)

#10. New York

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 64,981 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 3,399 (19.1 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 59,879 acres (48.0% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 484 (123.7 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (42)

#9. Colorado

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 75,601 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 974 (77.6 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 3,690 acres (4.7% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 134 (27.5 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (43)

#8. Washington

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 79,092 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 2,047 (38.6 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 246,543 acres (75.7% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 518 (476.0 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (44)

#7. Texas

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 84,544 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 2,184 (38.7 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 17,659 acres (17.3% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 266 (66.4 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (45)

#6. Georgia

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 101,771 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,914 (53.2 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 6,902 acres (6.4% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 102 (67.7 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (46)

#5. North Carolina

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 122,479 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 3,245 (37.7 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 32,927 acres (21.2% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 585 (56.3 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (47)

#4. Arizona

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 141,594 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,259 (112.5 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 3,407 acres (2.3% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 74 (46.0 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (48)

#3. Idaho

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 204,072 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 976 (209.1 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 150,206 acres (42.4% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 402 (373.6 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (49)

#2. Florida

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 207,051 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 1,766 (117.2 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 38,325 acres (15.6% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 53 (723.1 acres per farm)

States that grow the most vegetables (50)

#1. California

Acres harvested for fresh consumption: 870,274 acres
Farms producing fresh vegetables: 4,468 (194.8 acres per farm)
Acres harvested for processing: 300,299 acres (25.7% of all vegetable production)
Farms producing vegetables for processing: 942 (318.8 acres per farm)

Data reporting by Emma Rubin. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This article has been re-published pursuant to a CC BY-NC 4.0 License.

States that grow the most vegetables (2024)

FAQs

Which states grow the most vegetables? ›

Top States

California ranked first in both vegetable categories: fresh market (870,274 acres) and processing (300,299 acres). Florida and Idaho followed in fresh market vegetables, and Washington and Wisconsin followed in processing vegetables.

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What state grows the largest vegetables? ›

Vegetables at the Alaska State Fair

Every year a giant vegetable competition is held at the Alaska State Fair. While many states host a similar competition, it's Alaska that's known for its especially large, record-setting vegetables.

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The Midwest is know for long enough seasons to farm corn, wheat, oats, hay, and soybeans. Iowa and Illinois have the best soil in the country.

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What state can you garden all year round? ›

The coastal towns of California have ample opportunities year-round for growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers that cannot be found elsewhere within the United States.

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What state has the best soil? ›

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the state with the most fertile soil in the United States is Iowa. The state has a long history of growing corn, soybeans, and other crops, and its soil is highly productive and of high quality.

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What are the top 10 US states in sales of vegetables? ›

1. California

California. Replay gallery.
Washington. 10 of 10.
Florida. 9 of 10.
Arizona. 8 of 10.
Georgia. 7 of 10.
Oregon. 6 of 10.
Michigan. 5 of 10.
North Carolina. 4 of 10.

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The top states in harvested acres of vegetables used for processing are California, Washington, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Idaho.

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Over half of the fruit and vegetable acres were located in the two major producing states, California and Florida [3].

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With the significant state-level agricultural output of bajra, rice, sugarcane, food grains, and many more crops, Uttar Pradesh is India's top farming state.

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