World
Horticultural
Trade and U.S. Export
Opportunities
F - Forecast for all countries;
individual country forecasts not available
Source: U.S. Department of
Commerce, Bureau of the Census
Total U.S. stone fruit exports in 1999 are
forecast at 195,000 metric tons, 9 percent more than 1998
shipments. Adequate supplies of good quality fruit and
more moderate prices will likely improve U.S. stone fruit
exports in 1999. The United States is a major exporter of
stone fruits, shipping to more than 40 countries
annually.
In 1998, U.S. stone fruit exports totaled
178,722 tons, valued at $251 million, down 20 percent in
volume and 18 percent in value from the previous year. A
smaller U.S. crop and resulting higher prices slowed U.S.
stone fruit exports in 1998. Moreover, U.S. sales to Asia
in were adversely affected by the economic problems
facing that region.
Peaches and nectarines account for about
45 percent of the volume of U.S. stone fruit exports,
followed by plums and prunes at about 30 percent. Cherry
shipments comprised 20 percent and apricots 5 percent.
However, in value terms, cherries lead U.S. stone fruit
shipments, accounting for a 50-percent share. Peaches and
nectarines, plums and prunes, and apricots account for
about 30, 20, and 3 percent of the value of U.S. stone
fruit exports, respectively.
Canada, Taiwan, and Mexico are the major
markets for U.S. stone fruits. For example, about half
the volume of U.S. peach and nectarine exports go to
Canada. Moreover, Taiwan’s share of U.S. peach and
nectarine exports has increased from just 3 percent in
1990 to more than 20 percent in 1998. Japan is the
dominant market for U.S. cherries.
