U.S. Processed Vegetable Trade Hits Record High in 2024

In 2024, the United States processed vegetable trade reached unprecedented heights, with imports totaling a record $8.03 billion, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. This surge was primarily fueled by the growing demand for frozen vegetables, which accounted for over 51% of total processed vegetable imports.

Among the top contributors to this growth were frozen potato products, especially frozen french fries, which pushed the frozen vegetable import value past the $4 billion mark for the first time. Although imports of frozen broccoli and cauliflower declined slightly, other products like sweet corn, snap beans, and spinach saw increased demand.

The prepared or preserved vegetables category also experienced significant growth, with import values rising 14% to exceed $3 billion. This increase was largely due to the rising consumption of tomato-based products, such as sauces and pastes. Meanwhile, dried or dehydrated vegetable imports rose by 6%, reaching $767 million, with potato starch remaining a major contributor. Additionally, vegetable juice imports jumped by an impressive 40%, surpassing $100 million—highlighting a growing niche market segment.

On the export side, U.S. shipments of processed vegetables totaled $3.8 billion, reflecting a 6% increase over 2023. Export volumes rose by 8%, reaching 15.52 billion pounds—the highest level since 2019. Frozen vegetable exports were especially strong, generating $1.79 billion, with frozen french fries leading the pack.

One standout trend was the surge in frozen sweet potato exports, which climbed by 274%, driven largely by growing demand from the European Union. Similarly, prepared or preserved vegetable exports rose by 10% to $1.65 billion, supported by strong performance in tomato-based exports. However, dried or dehydrated vegetable exports declined, mostly due to falling demand for potato-derived products.

Overall, the data reveals a continued shift in both domestic and international markets toward convenient, processed vegetable products, emphasizing the importance of innovation, adaptability, and quality in the global trade of vegetable-based foods.

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