AFBF: Imports Of Fresh Produce Up 70% In 16 Years

America’s fresh produce industry is facing a growing economic challenge. According to the American Farm Bureau, since 2010, U.S. fruit production has declined 32%, while vegetable production is down 10%. At the same time, the Bureau noted, fresh fruit and vegetable imports have each increased about 70%.

AFBF said Imports play an important role, filling seasonal gaps and giving consumers year-round access to fresh produce. But, a growing foreign supply is increasingly overlapping with U.S. harvest seasons—putting downward pressure on prices when American farmers have only a short window to sell highly perishable crops.

Broader production expenses have also climbed sharply. Between 2020 and 2025, AFBF noted pesticide costs increased 25%, fuel rose 31%, fertilizer climbed 37%, and labor costs increased nearly 50%. Specialty crop farms averaged more than $466,000 in cash expenses in 2023, up 47% in two years, with labor accounting for nearly 40% of total costs.

That pressure comes as U.S. growers face sharply higher labor, input, regulatory and compliance costs—expenses that are difficult to pass along to consumers. AFBF added growing dependence on foreign production can create food security risks.

"As U.S. production declines, more of the nation’s fresh produce supply becomes exposed to political instability, extreme weather, food-safety disruptions and regulatory decisions governed by other countries. Trade will remain essential, but a resilient food system requires U.S. farmers to be able to profitably grow fruits and vegetables here at home."

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