Rising labor, input, and regulatory costs are making it harder for U.S. fruit and vegetable growers to recover expenses and remain competitive. Since 2010, U.S. fruit production has declined 32 percent, while vegetable production has fallen ten percent. Meanwhile, fresh fruit and vegetable imports have each increased about 70 percent. Imports remain important for filling seasonal gaps and providing consumers with year-round supplies. But growing volumes arriving during U.S. harvest periods can add price pressure when domestic growers are selling highly perishable crops. The impact varies by commodity, with import competition affecting markets including lettuce, cabbage, blueberries, strawberries, and tomatoes. The challenge is especially significant because growers often have only a short window to market their crops and cannot simply store fresh produce until prices improve. The trend raises broader concerns about food security as the United States becomes more dependent on foreign production.
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