Import growth

Total U.S. fruit imports increased 9% year-on-year in February and were largely driven by fresh berries, USDA data shows.

The growth in fruit imports, which include fresh, frozen, processed and juices, to $ 2 billion came amid strong increases in fresh strawberries and blueberries and was partially offset by a large drop in avocado imports.

Increase in blueberries

Strawberries increased 23% to $ 208 million, with Mexico supplying almost all volumes.

Conventional blueberry imports saw a 63% increase to $ 140 million, with the top three supplying countries to the US showing large increases. Chile's imports increased 33% to $ 75 million, and those of Mexico and Peru slightly more than doubled to $ 52 million and $ 13 million respectively.

Organic blueberries

Organic blueberry imports also showed significant growth, increasing by 69% to 61 million.

The other two categories of berries also performed well. Raspberry imports grew 30% to 90 million, while blackberry imports increased 9% to 44 million. In both cases, Mexico was practically the only supplier.

Other double-digit increases occurred in mango and pineapple imports, which rose 21% and 19%, respectively, to a total of $ 48 million each. Limes also increased 73% to $ 45 million.

The avocado decline

There was a significant drop in avocado imports, which fell by 22% to 174 million, with almost all supplies coming from Mexico. Table grape imports experienced a small 4% drop to $ 288 million, with the decline driven by Chile and partially offset by growth in Peru.

Outside of the fresh fruit category, total U.S. fruit imports were also driven by a 29% increase in fruit juices to $ 182 million and a 31% increase in frozen fruits to $ 94 million.

The increase in fruit imports in February follows a slower month in January, when imports saw a slight drop in percentage, USDA data shows.

In 2020, the growth of US fruit imports stopped.