In modern times California has been the top, undisputed volume king when it comes to the nearly 1.2 million truck load equivalents of fresh fruits and vegetables that is shipped primarily by truck every year in the U.S. A review of USDA statistics for 2017 shows this has not changed.
Here are the Top 10 states when it comes to annual fresh produce shipments: California, Washington, Idaho, Florida, Arizona, Wisconsin, Colorado, Texas, North Carolina and New York.
1.California. While the “left” coast continues more towards socialism and sometimes the politicians are doing out right looney stuff, somehow California agriculture continues, although over the past two decades more agriculture production has moved to Mexico because of lower labor and production costs. Still, no state comes close to California in terms of sheer volume.
Here are some stats that prove it.
*395,575 truck load equvialents
*4.1 million acres of fresh produce and tree nuts.
*$24 billion value.
*2600 produce shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
2.Washington.Led by shipments of apples, potatoes and onions, Washington state is a distant second to California, but easily outdistances other states.
*229,565 truck loads.
*315,917 acres.
*$4 billion value.
*308 produce shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
3.Idaho. Famous Idaho potatoes are the undisputed king here.
*121,763 truck loads.
*376,134 acres.
*$967 million.
*117 shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
4.Florida. The Sunshine state is known for it tomatoes, mixed vegetables, citrus and strawberries. Considering it is virtually dead in summertime for produce shipments, its ranking is impressive.
*118,040 truck loads.
*814,117 acres.
*$3 billion.
*900 shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
5. Arizona. Winter shipments provide a big portion of various lettuces, broccoli, cauliflower and other vegetables, including potatoes and lemons.
*75,575 truck loads.
*165,814 acres.
*$764 million.
*352 shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
6.Wisconsin. The Badger State is led by potato shipments primarily from the central part of the state. This area also is the leading shipper of cranberries in the fall. There’s also some cabbage shipments from Southeastern Wisconsin.
*40,720 truck loads.
*315,917 acres.
*$715 million.
*129 shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
7.Colorado. Barely trailing Wisconsin is Colorado, with its San Luis Valley potato loadings, plus mixed vegetables in the Northeastern part of the state.
*40,530 truck loads.
*89,443 acres.
*$305 million.
*122 shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
8.Texas. The Lone Star state has citrus and mixed vegetable shipments from the Lower Rio Grande Valley. West Texas also has a sizeable production of potatoes from the Hereford area.
*37,395 truck loads.
*$727 million.
*330,487 acres.
758 shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
9. North Carolina. The Tar Heel state easily leads the nation in sweet potato shipments. It also has much smaller volume with mixed vegetables and apples, much of it being in the Western part of the state.
*34,305 truck loads.
*144,000 acres.
$520 million.
114 shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
10.NewYork. The Empire state grows produce in virtually all geographical areas. Apples are biggest in the Hudson Valley, but also are grown in several other areas across the state. There are mixed vegetables, potatoes and onions in various areas.
*24,943 truck loads.
*230,000 acres.
*$672 million.
*797 shippers, wholesalers and businesses.
Related
When it comes to the logistics and production of fresh produce in the United States, my expertise is rooted in years of studying agricultural statistics, market trends, and regional production data. Let's dive into the concepts entwined within the article you provided:
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Fresh Produce Shipping: This article outlines the annual shipment of fresh fruits and vegetables across various states in the US. It touches upon the immense volume of produce being transported, primarily by truck.
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Top States for Fresh Produce: The piece highlights the top 10 states involved in shipping fresh produce. California stands out as the undisputed leader, followed by Washington, Idaho, Florida, Arizona, Wisconsin, Colorado, Texas, North Carolina, and New York.
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Agricultural Production: It discusses the agricultural output in terms of truckload equivalents, acreage dedicated to produce, and the monetary value generated by these states. Each state has its specialty produce and varied acreage devoted to different crops.
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Regional Specialties: Different regions are known for specific crops. For instance, California is recognized for its sheer volume across various types of fresh produce and tree nuts. Idaho is famous for potatoes, while Florida excels in tomatoes, mixed vegetables, citrus, and strawberries.
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Economic Impact: The article touches on the economic impact generated by the fresh produce industry in these states. For instance, California's fresh produce and tree nuts contribute a whopping $24 billion in value.
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Seasonal Dynamics: It mentions seasonal variations in production and shipments. Florida, despite being dormant in summer for produce shipments, maintains an impressive ranking due to its produce varieties and volumes during other seasons.
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Distribution and Businesses: It discusses the network of shippers, wholesalers, and businesses involved in the fresh produce industry, indicating the depth and complexity of the supply chain.
Understanding these concepts provides insights into the intricate network of fresh produce transportation, the economic significance of various states' agricultural outputs, and the diversity of crops across different regions. Each state's unique contributions and specialties contribute to the larger tapestry of the US fresh produce industry.
