U.S. exports of horticultural products to all countries in October totaled $1.0 billion, down 6 percent from the same month a year earlier. During October 1997, only 7 out of the 15 categories registered increases. The tree nut category accounted for most of the decrease month-to-month. U.S. exports of tree nuts during October 1997 were $205 million, down 22 percent from October 1996. Within that category, U.S. exports of unshelled walnuts and shelled/prepared almonds accounted for the decline. Categories with the most significant increases in October were fresh citrus (up $10.7 million, or 31 percent), nursery products (up $6.3 million, or 37 percent), and wine (up $6.3 million, or 19 percent). Other categories with significant declines in October were non-citrus fresh fruits (down 8 percent), dried fruit (down 19 percent), frozen fruit (down 12 percent), and the miscellaneous category (down 4 percent). Of the miscellaneous category, ginseng declined to $9.8 million in October 1997, versus $19.7 million in October 1996.

U.S. exports of horticultural products to Canada in October 1997 increased to $255 million, an increase of 10 percent over the October 1996 level. The commodities with the largest increases are other edible preparations (other than canned or frozen), up $6.7 million to $20.0 million; mixtures of vegetable juices, rising to $6.2 million from $789,000 the previous year; and potato chips, up $3.1 million, or more than doubling the October 1996 level. A large part of the year-to-year decline in U.S. exports of tree nuts is the result of lower exports to the EU. Total horticultural products exports to the EU dropped 20 percent in October 1997 from a year ago, to $250.2 million. The major commodities accounting for the decline are walnuts, fresh or dried, in shell, down $33.1 million, to $37.5 million; almonds, fresh or dried, shelled, down $27.2 million, to $56.8 million; and almonds, prepared and preserved, down $12.2 million, to only $1.5 million.

Last modified: Tuesday, May 08, 2001