USDA: Horticulture Sees Significant Increases
Seen in the recent results of the 2009 Census of Horticultural Specialties, the sales of food crops grown under protection in the United States more than doubled in the last decade.
“Despite the recent economic downturn, the U.S. horticulture industry as a whole is showing resilience by increasing diversification of the products produced,” said Joe Prusacki, NASS statistics division director. “Food crop production has shown the largest growth in this sector of agriculture, possibly a link to increased consumer interest in fresh fruits and vegetables.”
The sale of food crops grown under protection, including fruits and vegetables in hothouses (as well as transplants for commercial vegetable production) increased 149 percent since the last time the census of horticulture was conducted in 1998. In 2009, growers reported $553 million in sales of food crops grown under protection, up from $223 million. Total sales of transplants for commercial vegetable production increased from $156 million to $331 million during this same period.
“Overall, total sales of horticultural crops between 1998 and 2009 increased by 10 percent to $11.7 billion,” said Prusacki. “Looking at the entire agricultural industry however, this 10-percent increase lags behind the 60-percent increase seen for all agricultural crop commodities during this same time period.”
The census results also show a more than average sales increase for bedding plants, nursery stock and propagative materials. A downturn in sales however was documented for cut flowers down 21 percent, foliage plants down 14 percent and cut Christmas tree sales down 3 percent.
For more from the recently released census report visit, www.agcensus.usda.gov.
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