From the staggering 186 million tons of tomatoes produced globally to the $1.2 trillion world of fresh produce, these statistics reveal a dynamic and vital industry that feeds our plates and our economies every single day.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, global production of tomatoes reached 186.821 million metric tons, making it the most produced vegetable worldwide.
- The United States produced 11.2 million tons of fresh vegetables in 2021, with California accounting for 70% of that total.
- China's apple production in 2022 was 46.1 million metric tons, representing 42% of global apple output.
- The U.S. produce industry generated $64.8 billion in farm cash receipts in 2022.
- Global fresh produce market size was valued at $1.2 trillion in 2023.
- U.S. fruit and vegetable wholesale sales reached $170 billion in 2022.
- Average U.S. per capita consumption of fresh vegetables was 138.7 pounds in 2021.
- Global fruit consumption per capita averaged 80 kg in 2022.
- U.S. consumers ate 26.4 pounds of fresh tomatoes per capita in 2021.
- U.S. fresh produce exports to Canada reached $5.2 billion in 2022.
- Mexico exported 2.8 million tons of avocados to the U.S. in 2023.
- Global fruit trade volume was 120 million tons in 2022.
- Produce industry water usage accounts for 70% of global agriculture freshwater.
- U.S. produce farms reduced pesticide use by 20% from 2010-2020.
- Global food waste in produce supply chain is 45% of total production.
The global produce industry is a trillion-dollar market with massive production and growing demand.
Consumption and Demand
1Average U.S. per capita consumption of fresh vegetables was 138.7 pounds in 2021.
Verified2Global fruit consumption per capita averaged 80 kg in 2022.
Verified3U.S. consumers ate 26.4 pounds of fresh tomatoes per capita in 2021.
Verified490% of U.S. households purchased fresh produce weekly in 2022.
Directional5China's vegetable consumption per capita was 118 kg in 2022.
Single source6U.S. banana consumption reached 26.2 pounds per capita in 2021.
Verified7EU fresh fruit consumption averaged 85 kg per capita in 2022.
Verified875% of U.S. adults aim to eat more fruits and vegetables daily.
Verified9India’s per capita fruit consumption was 90 g/day in 2022.
Directional10U.S. organic produce consumption grew 8% to 12% of total in 2022.
Single source11Global demand for avocados increased 10% annually since 2015.
Verified12U.S. lettuce consumption per capita was 31.5 pounds in 2021.
Verified13Brazil's per capita vegetable intake was 45 kg in 2022.
Verified1465% of millennials prefer locally sourced produce.
Directional15U.S. berry consumption rose to 8.1 pounds per capita in 2022.
Single source16Japan's fruit consumption per capita was 35 kg in 2022.
Verified17U.S. demand for ready-to-eat produce increased 15% in 2023.
Verified18Global per capita vegetable consumption was 102 kg in 2022.
Verified19U.S. apple consumption averaged 17.5 pounds per person in 2021.
Directional20France's per capita produce consumption 170 kg/year in 2022.
Single source2182% of U.S. shoppers read produce labels for origin.
Verified22Global demand for superfoods like kale up 200% since 2010.
Verified23U.S. Hispanic consumers buy 30% more produce weekly.
Verified24UK's vegetable consumption per capita 90 kg in 2022.
Directional2555% of Gen Z prioritize plant-based produce options.
Single source26U.S. potato consumption 111 pounds per capita in 2021.
Verified27Asia-Pacific fruit consumption grew 4.5% annually.
Verified28Convenience store produce sales up 25% post-COVID.
Verified29U.S. women consume 20% more fruits than men.
Directional30Global snacking on produce increased 12% in 2023.
Single source31Canada's per capita apple consumption 17 kg/year.
Verified3240% of U.S. households follow plant-forward diets.
Verified33U.S. citrus consumption 25 pounds per capita annually.
Verified34Online produce delivery demand up 50% since 2020.
DirectionalConsumption and Demand Interpretation
While the global appetite for fruits and vegetables is heartening, the data suggests we are a world united in good intentions, yet divided by who actually eats their salad, who just takes pictures of it, and who assumes a potato-based diet is still basically plant-forward.
Market Size and Economics
1The U.S. produce industry generated $64.8 billion in farm cash receipts in 2022.
Verified2Global fresh produce market size was valued at $1.2 trillion in 2023.
Verified3U.S. fruit and vegetable wholesale sales reached $170 billion in 2022.
Verified4The organic produce market in the U.S. hit $62 billion in sales in 2022.
Directional5Global berry market revenue was $38.5 billion in 2023, projected to grow 6.5% CAGR.
Single source6U.S. fresh produce retail sales totaled $191 billion in 2022.
Verified7China's produce import value reached $15.2 billion in 2022.
Verified8EU fruit and vegetable market turnover was €150 billion in 2022.
Verified9U.S. produce exports contributed $7.8 billion to GDP in 2022.
Directional10Global avocado market size was $15.4 billion in 2023.
Single source11India's fruit and vegetable market valued at $120 billion in 2022.
Verified12U.S. tomato market generated $2.9 billion in producer revenue in 2022.
Verified13Global citrus market size reached $95 billion in 2023.
Verified14Brazil's fruit export revenue was $3.2 billion in 2022.
Directional15U.S. organic vegetable sales grew 5.2% to $14.5 billion in 2022.
Single source16Global leafy greens market valued at $32 billion in 2023.
Verified17Mexico's produce export value hit $30 billion in 2023.
Verified18U.S. apple market revenue was $3.1 billion in 2022.
Verified19Global fresh produce e-commerce sales hit $25 billion in 2023.
Directional20U.S. produce processing sector employed 1.2 million workers in 2022.
Single source21Brazil's soybean-for-produce feed market was $10 billion in 2022.
Verified22Global exotic fruit market grew to $6.5 billion in 2023.
Verified23U.S. farmers' markets for produce generated $2.1 billion in 2022.
Verified24EU organic produce market was €54 billion in 2022.
Directional25Global potato market value reached $110 billion in 2023.
Single source26U.S. direct-to-consumer produce sales up 15% to $9 billion.
Verified27Mexico's avocado export revenue was $4.5 billion in 2023.
Verified28Global greenhouse produce market $45 billion in 2023.
Verified29U.S. grape market revenue $6.2 billion in 2022.
Directional30India's vegetable processing industry $20 billion in 2022.
Single source31U.S. per capita spending on produce $550 annually in 2022.
Verified32Global melon market $28 billion in 2023.
Verified33U.S. fresh-cut produce sales $30 billion in 2022.
VerifiedMarket Size and Economics Interpretation
The sheer scale of these numbers proves that while we may be told to eat our vegetables, the global economy has already taken a massive bite.
Production and Yield
1In 2022, global production of tomatoes reached 186.821 million metric tons, making it the most produced vegetable worldwide.
Verified2The United States produced 11.2 million tons of fresh vegetables in 2021, with California accounting for 70% of that total.
Verified3China's apple production in 2022 was 46.1 million metric tons, representing 42% of global apple output.
Verified4India harvested 21.77 million tons of potatoes in 2021-2022, up 5.2% from the previous year.
Directional5Brazil's orange production totaled 16.5 million metric tons in 2022/23, down 6% due to weather issues.
Single source6The EU produced 2.8 million tons of strawberries in 2022, with Spain leading at 1.5 million tons.
Verified7Global banana production hit 122 million metric tons in 2022, led by India and China.
Verified8Mexico's avocado yield averaged 15.5 tons per hectare in 2022, the highest globally.
Verified9In 2023, U.S. lettuce production reached 24.5 billion pounds, primarily in Arizona and California.
Directional10Turkey produced 4.8 million tons of watermelons in 2022, second only to China.
Single source11Egypt's onion production was 3.6 million tons in 2022, up 8% year-over-year.
Verified12Global mango production stood at 52.5 million metric tons in 2022, with India at 21.8 million tons.
Verified13California's almond yield was 1.85 tons per acre in 2022, producing 2.6 billion pounds total.
Verified14Vietnam's dragon fruit production reached 1.2 million tons in 2022.
Directional15Spain's olive production hit 1.3 million tons in 2022/23, a record high.
Single source16Global grape production was 78.2 million metric tons in 2022, led by China and Italy.
Verified17U.S. corn yield for fresh produce reached 181 bushels per acre in 2023.
Verified18Indonesia's pineapple output was 1.9 million tons in 2022.
Verified19Netherlands greenhouse vegetable production covered 1,000 hectares yielding 12 million tons annually.
Directional20Global cucumber production totaled 91.2 million metric tons in 2022, China dominant.
Single source21In 2022, U.S. sweet potato production was 1.4 million tons, up 4%.
Verified22Global cabbage production reached 72 million metric tons in 2022.
Verified23Florida's citrus yield dropped to 18.5 boxes per acre in 2022 due to hurricanes.
Verified24Iran's watermelon production totaled 4.2 million tons in 2022.
Directional25U.S. onion yield averaged 18 tons per acre in 2023.
Single source26Thailand's durian production hit 1.1 million tons in 2022.
Verified27Global peach production was 24 million metric tons in 2022.
Verified28New Zealand's kiwifruit yield was 15 tons per hectare in 2022.
Verified29U.S. bell pepper production reached 1.5 million tons in 2022.
Directional30Global carrot production totaled 42 million metric tons in 2022.
Single sourceProduction and Yield Interpretation
In a world obsessed with data, the produce aisle reveals a globe spinning with agricultural ambition, where China's apples and California's greens rule the roost, Brazil's oranges weather storms, India's mangoes sweeten the deal, and everyone from Turkey to Mexico is vying for a slice of the pie—or rather, a piece of the fruit.
Sustainability and Trends
1Produce industry water usage accounts for 70% of global agriculture freshwater.
Verified2U.S. produce farms reduced pesticide use by 20% from 2010-2020.
Verified3Global food waste in produce supply chain is 45% of total production.
Verified4Organic produce acreage in U.S. grew 17% to 4.1 million acres in 2022.
Directional5Produce transport emits 10% of agriculture's total GHG emissions.
Single source630% of global produce is lost post-harvest in developing countries.
Verified7U.S. vertical farming for produce saved 95% water vs traditional.
Verified8EU produce packaging recycling rate reached 75% in 2022.
Verified9Climate change reduced global yields by 5.5% for fruits 1961-2021.
Directional10Regenerative agriculture on 10% of U.S. produce farms sequesters 1 Gt CO2e.
Single source11Global produce plastic packaging use is 1.5 million tons annually.
Verified12Hydroponic produce uses 90% less land than soil-based farming.
Verified13U.S. produce industry invested $2.5 billion in sustainable tech in 2022.
Verified1425% of produce supply chains adopted blockchain for traceability by 2023.
Directional15Drought affected 40% of global produce regions in 2022.
Single source16Precision agriculture boosted yields 15% while cutting inputs 20%.
Verified17Global shift to plant-based diets could reduce ag emissions 30% by 2050.
Verified18U.S. produce carbon footprint averages 0.5 kg CO2e per kg.
Verified1950% of consumers prefer sustainable produce labels.
Directional20LED lighting in greenhouses cuts energy use 40% for produce growth.
Single source21U.S. produce industry recycled 80% of plastic waste in 2022.
Verified22Precision irrigation saved 30% water on 20% of global produce farms.
Verified23Organic produce reduces soil erosion by 50% vs conventional.
Verified2415% of produce uses integrated pest management globally.
Directional25Carbon farming credits for produce hit $1 billion in 2023.
Single source26Aquaponics produce systems recycle 99% of water.
Verified27EU Green Deal targets 25% organic produce by 2030.
Verified28Produce supply chain blockchain adoption up 300% since 2018.
Verified29Global produce biodiversity loss 20% in last 50 years.
Directional30Solar-powered greenhouses cover 5% of U.S. produce area.
Single sourceSustainability and Trends Interpretation
The produce industry is a study in stark contradictions, where remarkable advancements in water conservation and waste reduction are desperately racing against the relentless pressures of climate change, massive resource consumption, and a still-staggering amount of loss from field to fork.
Trade and Exports
1U.S. fresh produce exports to Canada reached $5.2 billion in 2022.
Verified2Mexico exported 2.8 million tons of avocados to the U.S. in 2023.
Verified3Global fruit trade volume was 120 million tons in 2022.
Verified4EU vegetable exports totaled 12.5 million tons in 2022.
Directional5Chile's fresh fruit exports hit $8.1 billion in 2022/23.
Single source6U.S. berry exports grew 12% to $2.1 billion in 2022.
Verified7Netherlands exported €9.2 billion in vegetables in 2022.
Verified8Peru's asparagus exports reached 400,000 tons in 2022.
Verified9Global tomato trade value was $12 billion in 2022.
Directional10Spain exported 1.1 million tons of citrus fruits in 2022.
Single source11U.S. imports of fresh vegetables totaled $20.5 billion in 2022.
Verified12China's fruit imports surged 25% to 7.5 million tons in 2022.
Verified13Morocco's tomato exports to EU were 1.2 million tons in 2022.
Verified14Colombia exported $1.8 billion in fresh flowers and produce in 2022.
Directional15Global banana trade volume was 21 million tons in 2022.
Single source16U.S. citrus exports reached 1.2 million tons in 2022.
Verified17Italy's kiwifruit exports totaled 450,000 tons in 2022.
Verified18U.S. imports from Peru totaled $2.5 billion in produce 2022.
Verified19Global vegetable trade value $200 billion in 2022.
Directional20New Zealand apple exports 600,000 tons in 2022.
Single source21U.S. table grape exports to Asia $800 million in 2022.
Verified22South Africa's citrus exports 140 million cartons in 2022.
Verified23China's vegetable exports up 10% to 5 million tons.
Verified24Belgium's tomato exports €1.5 billion in 2022.
Directional25Global mango trade 2.5 million tons annually.
Single source26U.S. strawberry imports from Mexico 1 million tons 2022.
Verified27Poland's apple exports 1.2 million tons in 2022.
Verified28Vietnam's pepper exports $4 billion in 2022.
Verified29U.S. onion imports 1.5 million tons from Mexico/Peru.
Directional30Turkey's hazelnut exports 300,000 tons in 2022.
Single source31Global blueberry trade doubled to 1 million tons since 2015.
Verified32Netherlands flower and produce exports €30 billion.
VerifiedTrade and Exports Interpretation
From avocados traveling north to berries flying east, the global produce aisle is a multi-billion-dollar testament to humanity's shared, and delicious, dependency on the food our neighbors grow best.
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