(The Packer)
U.S. growers will export a record $6.2 billion worth of fresh fruits and vegetables next year, up 5.1% from this year, on increasing demand from Canada, Japan and the European Union, according to a government report
Fresh fruit and vegetable exports to Canada and Japan, and to a lesser extent the EU, “should continue to expand” as the world’s economies recover from recession, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported.
Total U.S. horticultural exports in fiscal 2011, which begins Oct. 1, are also expected to hit an all-time high, climbing 7.5% from 2010 to $24.5 billion, according to the USDA.
Foreign markets for U.S. grain, meat, fruit and vegetable growers will continue to grow next year as Asia leads a global economic recovery, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said during a conference call after the release of the report.
“You’re seeing greater acceptance of the American brand in agriculture in 2010, and you’ll continue to see that in 2011,” Vilsack said. “We’re going to see more and more opportunities.” Read more here.
