VEGETABLES AND MELONS YEARBOOK -- SUMMARY July 23, 2004, ERS-VGS-2004

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Approved by the World Agricultural Outlook Board
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The Vegetables and Melons Situation and Outlook SUMMARY is published by the Economic Research Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20036-5831. The complete report will be available 
electronically about 4 weeks following this summary release. 
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Consumption Up 1 Percent in 2003;
Further Gains Expected This Year

In 2004, per capita vegetable disappearance (also referred to as use or consumption) is forecast to increase about 1 
percent to 446 pounds (fresh-weight basis).  Increased use is expected for fresh-market vegetables, melons, and 
processing vegetables, with declining use expected for potatoes and sweet potatoes.  Assuming continued 
favorable weather into the fall and a strengthening economy, consumption of several fresh-market vegetables 
could approach record-highs in 2004. With strong romaine shipments, per capita use of leaf and romaine lettuce is 
expected to reach a record-high of 10 pounds in 2004.  Domestic fresh-market tomato production is expected to 
recover from the weather-reduced levels of 2003 and help push tomato disappearance close to the 2002 record-
high of 19.2 pounds per person. Similarly, increased acreage could push onion production higher in 2004, which 
could allow use of fresh dry-bulb onions to move back toward the 2002 record-high.  Little change is expected for 
dry edible bean use as stock reductions and lower exports offset the effect of another small crop this fall.  

For 2003, total per capita vegetable and melon use increased 1 percent to 443 pounds (fresh-weight basis).  Per 
capita use of fresh-market vegetables (excluding melons, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms) declined 1 
percent to 141.3 pounds.  Including melons, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms, fresh-market vegetable 
consumption totaled 222.4 poundsup 1 percent from a year earlier.  There were several notable changes in 
vegetable consumption a year ago. These changes included a 21-percent gain in fresh-market spinach use to 1.7 
poundsthe highest per capita spinach use since 1949. Spinach consumption, which peaked at 2.9 pounds in 
1939, is expected to continue trending higher in 2004 as spinach finds favor as both a tasty and nutritious salad 
ingredient and versatile side dish. 

Disappearance of vegetables for freezing (excluding potatoes) remained about even at 6.2 billion pounds (23.0 
billion including potatoes) in 2003.  On a per capita use basis, freezing vegetables (excluding potatoes) declined 1 
percent to 21.2 pounds last year. Including preliminary estimates for potatoes, freezing vegetable use rose 3 
percent to 78.8 pounds per person. Increases were noted for broccoli (up 23 percent), cauliflower (up 19 percent), 
spinach (up 15 percent), and green peas (up 9 percent), with declines coming in carrots (down 21 percent), 
miscellaneous vegetables (down 10 percent), and sweet corn (down 4 percent). The sizeable gain in broccoli 
largely reflects a reported doubling of output within the previously shrinking domestic industry.  If this figure 
holds through next winters annual revisions, it would be the largest reported production of broccoli for freezing 
since 1995.

Per capita use of canning vegetables (excluding potatoes) declined fractionally to 97.2 pounds. Total domestic 
disappearance of canning vegetables in 2003 rose nearly 1 percent to 28.4 billion pounds.  Aside from chile 
peppers, cabbage, and cucumbers for pickles, estimated use of all major canning vegetables either increased or 
remained constant. Despite reduced production (down 16 percent), lower imports (down 24 percent), and a 
sizeable increase in exports (up 19 percent), per capita use of processing tomatoes rose 1 percent.  Tomatoes 
accounted for 72 percent of 2003 canning vegetable disappearance.  The outlook for 2004 indicates a small gain in 
per capita use of processing tomatoes as output and imports each rise.

According to preliminary data for 2003 (utilization estimates for the previous crop year are not published until 
September 23), per capita use of potatoes, the largest vegetable category, likely increased 7 pounds to 139 pounds.  
The gain in 2003 largely reflects a return to average use following a decline the previous year caused by the small 
crop of 2001/02. Use of potatoes for frozen french fries during the early 2000s is averaging 57.1 pounds per capita 
(28.6 pounds on a product-weight basis).  This exceeds the average use during the 1990s by 4 percent and is one-
third greater than the average use during the 1980s.

Further highlights in the annual per capita use estimates for 2003 include:
*	An 8-percent rise in fresh-market sweet corn consumption, which reached a record 9.7 pounds (both 
production and exports also set records). Despite various low-carb diets, consumers continue to be drawn to 
the improved quality and value offered by todays supersweet varieties.
*	Fresh broccoli use rose 7 percent to 5.7 pounds per person, reversing a 3-year slide in consumption.
*	Estimated fresh-market cauliflower consumption jumped 17 percent to 1.7 pounds as acreage and yields (up 7 
percent) increased.
*	Use of all tomatoes declined 1 percent to 87.7 pounds per person (fresh-equivalent basis) as a 5-percent 
reduction in fresh-market use (to 18.1 pounds) outweighed a slight increase in processing use (to 69.6 pounds, 
fresh-equivalent basis).  
*	Combined fresh and processing dry-bulb onion consumption was little changed from a year earlier at 20.3 
pounds per person in 2003.  Despite a smaller fresh-market crop, record-high imports and average shrink and 
loss (around 10 percent of the crop) helped the fresh-market onion industry post its second-highest per capita 
use at 18.9 pounds last year (19.3 pounds were recorded in 2002). 
*	Supported by ever-increasing imports, asparagus for fresh consumption rose 15 percent to 1.1 pounds per 
capitathe highest fresh-market use since 1947.
*	Fresh-market carrot use, which has been trending lower since the 1997 peak, rose 5 percent to 8.8 pounds in 
2003. Domestic disappearance of fresh carrots totaled 2.6 billion pounds last year.
*	Driven by record-high yields (140 hundredweight (cwt) per acre), per capita use of artichokes (in all forms) 
increased 15 percent to 0.7 poundthe second highest on record. 
*	Per capita use of garlic (fresh and processing) rose 13 percent to 2.8 poundssecond only to 1999s 3.3 
pounds.  

Vegetable Output Down 3 Percent in 2003

Total U.S. vegetable and melon output fell 3 percent in 2003 as inclement spring and summer weather limited 
yields and reduced shipments. Vegetable output in 2003 was 8 percent below the 1999 peak but 3 percent above 
the average for the 1990s.  Reduced output for dry edible beans (down 26 percent), processing tomatoes (down 16 
percent), and fresh-market tomatoes (down 11 percent), outweighed gains for smaller crops such as processing 
green peas (up 34 percent), sweet potatoes (up 24 percent), and cauliflower (up 10 percent).  Fresh-market 
vegetable and melon production declined 1 percent largely due to weather-reduced spring and summer yields, 
while processing vegetable production declined 9 percent due largely to lower yields for California processing 
tomatoes.  A 16-percent reduction in the processing tomato crop drove canning vegetable production down from 
the previous year. Reduced harvested acreage (down 23 percent) and lower yields pushed the U.S. dry bean crop 
down 26 percent in 2003, with another small crop expected in 2004.  Meanwhile, a 13-percent increase in 
harvested area and favorable weather resulting in record-high yields (up 10 percent to 172 cwt/acre) helped drive 
the sweet potato crop 24 percent higher to 15.9 million cwtthe largest crop since 1962.  

Fresh Market Prices Up  

During the first 6 months of 2004, shipping-point prices (a proxy for grower prices) averaged 1 percent above a  
year earlier as higher prices during the first quarter (Jan.-Mar.) outweighed lower prices during the second quarter. 
During the first quarter, shipping-point prices increased 16 percent from a year earlier as cool, wet weather in 
California and Mexico reduced market supplies.  Despite periods of extreme heat along the California coast and 
gusty winds in Florida, supplies during the spring were strong enough to prevent prices from reaching the highs of 
a year earlier, with second-quarter prices averaging 11 percent below a year earlier.

In 2003, shipping-point prices for fresh-market vegetables and melons increased 1 percent from a year earlier.  All 
of the gain came after the first quarter when shipping-point prices averaged 43 percent below a year earlier.  This 
was followed by 24-percent higher spring-season prices than a year earlier and a 14-percent increase over the 
summer quarter. In the fall, shipping-point prices leaped 46 percent to a new fourth-quarter high led by record-
high lettuce prices. With unusually high temperatures reducing yields during the fall growing season in California 
and Arizona, f.o.b shipping-point prices for U.S. iceberg lettuce surged 161 percent over Oct.-Dec. a year earlier 
to $29.80 per cwt.  With a few exceptions (e.g. onions, asparagus, and tomatoes), the various high and low 
shipping prices throughout the year were largely offsetting for most commodities, with most averaging near year-
earlier levels. 

Despite the fluctuations in open-market f.o.b. prices, retail prices for fresh-market vegetables (including potatoes) 
in 2003 averaged just 2 percent above a year earlierthe smallest rise since 1999. The farm value share of the 
fresh vegetable retail price remained steady at 20 percent in 2003.  Fresh-market retail prices fell 1 percent during 
January-June and rose 5 percent during the last half of the year.  Consumers paid more for tomatoes (up 8 percent) 
and other miscellaneous vegetables (up 3 percent) and less for potatoes (down 4 percent) and head lettuce (down 2 
percent).  The decline in fresh potato prices follows an 18-percent jump a year earlier when the increase in retail 
prices was the highest since 1989. In 2004, retail prices for fresh-market vegetables are projected to average 1 to 4 
percent above a year ago due largely to increased costs for energy, labor, and packaging.    

Vegetable Trade Deficit Widens

In calendar year 2003, weak demand in some key export markets and continued U.S. demand for lower-cost 
processed imports allowed the trade deficit in vegetable crops (includes melons, pulses, potatoes, and planting 
seed) to continue expanding. While the value of U.S. exports increased 1 percent to $3.3 billion, imports rose 13 
percent to $5.4 billion. The value of exports last exceeded imports in 1995. In 2003, U.S. vegetable, melon, and 
pulse imports from Mexico rose 17 percent while Mexicos share of U.S. import value rose from 43 to 44 percent. 
Over the past few years, Mexicos share of imports has generally trended lower, with share largely being lost to 
Canada.  However, thanks to increased shipments of tomatoes and potato chips (due to a new reconstituted chip 
plant), Mexico was able to regain some lost market share in 2003.  Imports from Canada rose 16 percent to $1.4 
billion in 2003, driven largely by fresh greenhouse vegetables, fresh and frozen potatoes, and mushrooms (largely 
fresh). Canadas share of the U.S. vegetable, melon, pulse, and seed import markets remained steady at 25 percent 
in 2003. China continued to experience double-digit growth in exports of vegetables and products to the United 
States in 2003. With increased shipments of fresh garlic (up 15 percent) and mushrooms (up 76 percent to $47 
million), imports from China (including Hong Kong) increased 20 percent to $220 millionremaining at 4 
percent of the U.S. import market.  

In 2003, the United States exported nearly 8 percent of its fresh-market vegetable and melon supplies (production 
plus imports)largely unchanged over the past decade.  On the other side of the ledger, higher fresh-market 
domestic prices again increased the incentive to export to the United States, with the fresh-market import share of 
consumption rising from just over 15 percent to 16 percentexceeding 1998s record-high. Monthly import 
volume has remained above year-earlier levels since mid-2003.

Processing Output Expected To
Rise in 2004 Despite Reduced Area

Processors of five major vegetables (tomatoes, sweet corn, snap beans, green peas, and cucumbers for pickles) 
have contracted 1.24 million acres in 2004down 2 percent from the comparable producing States of a year 
earlier. Canneries, which account for two-thirds of all processing vegetable area, have contracted for 2 percent 
fewer acres than a year ago.  Area for tomatoes, the largest single processing vegetable, will be 1 percent larger 
than a year ago despite lackluster wholesale prices and the prospect of larger world supplies in the coming year. 
Given average yields, contract production of the five leading canning vegetables could rise about a 10th from that 
of 2003.  For processors of frozen vegetables, contract area is forecast to decline 4 percent as lower sweet corn 
plantings outweigh small increases for snap beans and green peas.  Given average yields, contract production for 
the three leading vegetables for freezing is expected to decline 10 to 12 percent from a year ago.

Assuming average acreage losses and yields hovering near the mean of the previous three seasons, total 
production of the 11 selected processing vegetables could increase 7 to 9 percent from the 15.7 million short tons 
harvested in 2003. However, the majority of any gain in processing output this year will likely stem from the 
expected recovery in California tomato yields from last years weather-reduced levels (about 5 tons below trend).  
Average retail prices for processed vegetables (frozen, canned, and dried) increased about 2 percent during the 
first 6 months of 2004, reflecting higher packaging, transportation, and marketing costs.  

Green peas:  The first estimate of 2004 contract production for processing green peas indicated a 17-percent 
reduction from a year earlier to 388,890 short tons. Estimated area for harvest was down 7 percent from a year 
earlier. Per-acre yields are also expected to decline 10 percent to 1.81 tons after reaching a record-high 2.01 tons 
in 2003.  Green pea production is expected to decline 35 percent in Minnesota, the top producing Stateand 36 
percent in Wisconsinthe third leading State. Wholesale prices for canned peas are averaging about 3 percent 
higher than a year ago, while prices for frozen green peas have been running about the same as a year earlier.

Tomatoes:   The 19-percent increase expected in the 2004 contract processing tomato crop follows a 16-percent 
decline in 2003. Harvested acreage was down 6 percent in 2003, and unsettled weather pulled yields down 11 
percent from the near record-high levels of 2002. Calendar 2003 import volume for all tomato products (fresh-
weight basis) was down 24 percent, with sauces declining 20 percent, paste down 53 percent, and ketchup 4 
percent lower.  Sauces (61 percent) and ketchup (25 percent) accounted for the majority of tomato product imports 
last year. Imports accounted for nearly 6 percent of consumption in 2003down from 8 percent a year earlier. 
With lower world supplies, calendar year exports jumped 19 percent to a record 2.9 billion pounds (fresh-weight 
equivalent), equal to 8 percent of available supply (production plus imports and beginning stocks). Calendar year 
2003 per capita use of processing tomatoes increased 1 percent to an estimated 69.6 pounds (fresh-weight)
continuing the recovery from the recession-impacted low of 2001.         

Sweet corn:  Area, yield, and production of processing sweet corn are each expected to decline in 2004.  Lower 
production in 2004 will offset last years crop, which rose 8 percent as output of both canning corn (up 9 percent) 
and sweet corn destined for frozen products (up 4 percent) increased.  Imports of canned sweet corn increased for 
the seventh consecutive yearrising 28 percent, with Canada supplying 60 percent and Thailand 39 percent. 
Imports reached another record-high in 2003 and presently account for about 6 percent of consumption. Exports, 
the primary market for 16 percent of supplies, declined for the sixth consecutive yearfalling 6 percent to the 
lowest level since 1991. The inability to meet competition in export markets, particularly in Japan, remains critical 
to an industry which faces declining long-run domestic demand. Although the long-run trend in domestic use is 
negative, per capita use of canning corn increased 6 percent in 2003 to 8.3 poundsthe largest year-to-year 
increase since 1992.         

New Census Data Released

In June, USDAs National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the 2002 U.S. Agricultural Census, 
reporting by State the number of farms, area harvested, and area under irrigation for a number of major vegetable 
and melon commodities. The number of farms reporting vegetable and melon area declined 10 percent to 54,391.  
Aside from a brief increase in 1997, the number of farms producing vegetables and melons has declined steadily 
over the past several decades.  This reflects the continued consolidation of farms into larger and more efficient 
business units and increasing productivity within the sector, which allows more volume to be harvested from 
fewer acres. The share of acreage produced under irrigation in 2002 rose to 69 percentup from 68 percent in 
1997.  While irrigation is ubiquitous in States such as California and Arizona, the share of area under irrigation 
continues to rise in seasonal producing States such as Ohio, New Jersey, and Georgia.  Harvested area for fresh 
and processing vegetables and melons (excludes potatoes, sweet potatoes, and pulses) declined 5 percent to 3.9 
million acres since the 1997 census.  

One of the key strengths (and most difficult challenges) of the Census of Agriculture data set is universal 
inclusionthe attempt to enumerate the U.S. national agricultural universe.  For vegetables and melons, this 
means receiving valuable information for crops not covered in the NASS vegetable estimation program such as 
green onions, parsley, and Chinese cabbage.  It also means receiving a U.S. total covering virtually all States for 
commodities like broccoli, pumpkins, and tomatoes for which NASS covers the major States but may still leave 
out some key producers (e.g. Maine broccoli). 

Fresh Output Down in 2003;
Summer 2004 Area Down 

This summer (largely July-September), fresh-market vegetable (excluding melons) area for harvest is forecast to 
decline 2 percent from a year earlier to 310,000 acres. For the most part, declining area for head lettuce, tomatoes, 
and sweet corn will outweigh increases in crops such as cucumbers, broccoli, and carrots.  This decline in summer 
area follows increases in both winter and spring vegetable area.   Although vegetable area is down this summer, 
melon area for harvest is expected to increase 4 percent this summer with area up for honeydews (up 12 percent), 
cantaloups (up 5 percent), and watermelon (up less than 1 percent).  Several shippers continue to increase 
offerings of small personal watermelon varieties in an attempt to serve a market niche that may be hesitant to 
purchase the larger fruit due to difficulty in handling or fear of waste.  

Growers in California, accounting for 47 percent of this years summer-season vegetable and melon area (up from 
46 percent a year earlier), increased acreage less than 1 percent.  New York, the second leading summer-season 
producer, with 18 percent of acreage, expects to harvest 5 percent fewer acres than a year ago, due largely to 
excess rains during planting this spring.  Although U.S. fresh-market area is down, better yields are expected to 
lead to stronger market volume in areas that were hit by excessive/untimely rains last year.  Assuming continued 
gains in economic activity and attendant demand, summer-season fresh-market vegetable prices are likely to 
average somewhat below the relatively strong levels of the past year.  During the summer quarter of 2003 (July-
September), prices received by growers and shippers of fresh-market vegetables and melons averaged 14-percent 
above those of the previous year.

Despite significant fluctuations throughout 2003, annual fresh-market output (including melons) declined just 1 
percent and shipping-point prices averaged 1 percent above those of the previous year. Some of the 2003 fresh-
market highlights for selected crops follow: 

Head lettuce:  Lower yields, particularly in California (down 8 percent), pulled head lettuce production down 3 
percent in 2003. Import volume, which until 2002 was normally less than 1 percent of consumption, was second 
only to that of 2002remaining near 2 percent of consumption. Export volume rose 7 percent, continuing to 
recover from two poor export years in 2000 and 2001. About 7 percent of supplies were exported in 2003the 
most since 1991. The average shipping-point price fell 15 percent to $18.00 per cwtstill the third highest on 
record. Total consumption was an estimated 6.2 billion pounds in 2003down from 6.5 billion pounds the 
previous year. This was the equivalent of 21.4 pounds per capita, down 5 percent from a year earlier and the 
lowest since 1967.  Head lettuce consumption has been trending lower since peaking in 1989 as consumers have 
broadened their diets to include other types of lettuces (such as romaine) and leafy greens (such as spinach).    

Tomatoes:  Field tomato production fell 11 percent in 2003 to 3.5 billion pounds as national per-acre yields 
dropped 8 percent from their record-tying high in 2002. Import volume (field and hothouse) increased for the third 
consecutive year, rising 9 percent to a record 2.1 billion pounds. Import share of consumption rose to a record 39 
percent in 2003.  Import share is expected to ease back to around 35 percent in 2004 as domestic production 
recovers from the weather-reduced lows of a year earlier.  For the third consecutive year after reaching its 2000 
pinnacle, tomato export volume felldropping 5 percent to 314 million pounds. Given the reduction in supply, 
estimated domestic consumption fell 5 percent to 5.3 billion pounds in 2003, with per capita use dropping from 
the 2002 record-high to 18.1 pounds. Based on industry estimates of production, including domestically-produced 
hothouse tomato production would add another pound to tomato per capita use. The inclusion of cherry and grape 
tomatoes (for which there are no official production estimates) would also boost tomato consumption estimates.         

Onions:  U.S. fresh-market onion production fell 2 percent in 2003 to 6.0 billion pounds as higher yields were 
offset by lower harvested area.  Imports, which increased 9 percent to a record-high 660 million pounds, 
accounted for 12 percent of domestic consumptionup from 11 percent the previous year.  The majority of the 
volume was shipped from Mexico (57 percent of the total), Canada (18 percent), and Peru (15 percent).  
Shipments from Chile more than doubled in 2003 and now account for 5 percent of onion import volume.  After 
declining for two consecutive years, onion exports rose 6 percent to 679 million pounds despite little change in 
shipments to Canada, Japan, and Mexico--typically top export destinations. With lower production, smaller 
beginning stocks, and larger exports, domestic per capita use of fresh-market onions declined 2 percent to 18.9 
poundssecond only to the 2002 record-high. 

Bell peppers:  U.S. bell pepper production rose 5 percent in 2003 to 1.65 billion pounds as production in 
California, the leading producer, increased 9 percent.  With increased domestic output, imports fell 2 percent from 
the previous years record level and accounted for 27 percent of domestic consumption. Mexico was the source 
for 67 percent of import volume followed by Canada (17 percent) and the Netherlands (9 percent).  Exports fell 1 
percent and now take 7 percent of supplywell below the record 12 percent in the early 1990s. Bell pepper 
consumption rose 3 percent, reaching 2 billion pounds for the first time. On a per capita basis, 2003 consumption 
was the second highest on record at 7.0 pounds and is projected to set a new standard in 2004. 

Output of Pulses and
Potatoes Mixed in 2004

Potatoes:  U.S. fall-season potato growers expect to harvest 6 percent fewer acres in 2004.  Harvested area is 
expected to be lower for all major producing States, including Idaho (down 3 percent), Washington (down 1 
percent), Wisconsin (down 7 percent), and North Dakota (down 19 percent). During the March to May period, 
when most fall-season potatoes were being planted, U.S. shipping-point prices for all potatoes averaged $6.49 per 
cwt, 6-percent below a year ago and 22-percent below 2 years ago. Because of lower potato prices at planting time 
and high prices for competing crops, summer-season potato growers expect to follow winter and spring season 
growers by reducing harvested area 3 percent this year.  Although per-acre yields are expected to be up 2-percent, 
summer potato production is forecast to decline 2 percent.  The summer crop typically accounts for about 4 
percent of all potato production, with Texas, California, and Colorado the leading States.

In 2003, smaller harvested area (down 1 percent) offset stronger yields (up 1 percent to the second highest on 
record) which left total U.S. potato production largely unchanged from a year earlier at 459 million cwt.  
Production in 2003 was 5 percent larger than 2 years ago. Fall potato production was generally higher in the 
Central and Eastern States, but lower in the Westthe converse of the previous years crop. California fall-season 
yields suffered from hot weather that reduced production 20 percent from the previous year. In fact, hot weather 
and/or drought also led to reduced yields in Colorado, Idaho, and Oregon while yields were up from the previous 
fall in Washington, Utah, Nevada, and Montana.  In Idaho, the leading potato State, production declined 8 percent 
from a year earlier due to lower acreage and reduced yields in the eastern part of the State.  Despite lower area, 
increased yields pushed production up 1 percent in Washington, the second leading producing State. 

Total domestic potato shipments (fresh, seed, chipping) rose fractionally from a year earlier during calendar 2003 
and ran 1-percent above a year earlier during the first half of 2004. Despite lower potato prices in the United 
States in 2003, import volume of fresh-market potatoes (excluding seed) from Canada increased 2 percent from 
the previous years strong levels.  At the same time, the volume of frozen potato imports from Canada (which 
accounts for 99 percent of all U.S. frozen potato imports) continued to climb to another record-high, rising 14 
percent from a year earlier to 1.64 billion pounds. Imports now account for 20 percent of frozen potato 
consumption compared with 3 percent in 1992. The preliminary season-average farm price received for all U.S. 
2003-crop potatoes was estimated at $5.85 per cwt, down 13 percent from the previous season.    

Sweet potatoes: U.S. sweet potato growers planted 99,100 acres in 2004, up 3 percent from last year and 3 
percent above 2002 for comparable States. Five States expect increased acreage (California, Louisiana, 
Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas) and three expect reductions (Alabama, South Carolina, and Virginia).
The increase in 2004 area is a response to record grower prices (unadjusted for inflation) for the 2003 crop.  The 
season-average price for 2003-crop sweet potatoes was $19.20/cwt, up 14 percent from the 2002 crop and 9 
percent higher than the previous record set in 1999. Higher prices for the 2003 crop was especially noteworthy 
because it occurred in conjunction with a 24-percent increase in production over a year earlier. The 2003 sweet 
potato crop was the largest since 1962.  

Domestic sweet potato use appears to have made a small comeback in recent years.  After averaging 5.1 pounds 
per person during the 1970s, average per capita use fell during the 1980s and 1990s to 4.6 and 4.1 pounds 
respectively, reaching an annual low of 3.7 pounds twice in the 1990s.  Thus far in the 2000s, per capita use has 
rebounded to an average of 4.3 pounds, reaching 4.7 pounds in 2003.  During this time, U.S. exports of sweet 
potatoes have also surged, rising 51 percent from 2000 to 2003.  Exports have risen steadily since the late 1980s
2003 sweet potato exports were 4 times what they were in 1989indicating that international demand for U.S. 
sweet potatoes has also increased.  About 4 percent of supply is now being shipped to nations such as Canada and 
the United Kingdom compared with 2 percent of supplies exported in the 1990s.   

Dry beans:  In 2004, U.S. dry bean growers expect to harvest 1.33 million acres2 percent fewer than a year 
earlier. Planted area increased just 1 percent in response to lethargic dry bean prices, relatively unstable domestic 
and export demand, and more attractive prices and revenue streams for alternative crops. With some exceptions, 
such as black beans and navy beans, production is expected to decline and prices should continue to strengthen 
during the 2004/05 season.

In 2003, a 23-percent reduction in harvested area (to 1.35 million acres) and 4 percent lower yields sent dry bean 
production down 26 percent to 22.5 million cwt. The largest reduction in output from a year earlier occurred in 
Michigan (down 50 percent), where area planted was a record-low 170,000 acres. Output was also reduced in 
Washington (down 37 percent) and North Dakota (down 27 percent from the 2002 record high). Output was 
reduced for 8 of the 13 identified classes, with notable declines for navy beans (down 53 percent) and pinto beans 
(down 21 percent).

Among classes experiencing increases in 2003 were Great Northern beans (up 42 percent) and blackeye beans (up 
45 percent). With output down for other classes last year, stocks were being drawn down but grower and dealer 
prices were slow to respond, resulting in some growers choosing to plant more lucrative alternative crops in 2004.  
With output down, the farm value of the 2003 dry bean crop was estimated to be $412 milliondown 20 percent 
from a year earlier.  Despite the smaller crop, carryover supplies proved burdensome enough to keep prices in 
check, with the season average price for all dry beans estimated to have risen just 4 percent to $17.80/cwt.  
Calendar year dry bean export volume declined for the fourth consecutive year in 2003, falling 2 percent to 680 
million pounds18 percent of available supply. With a smaller crop and reduced imports (down 23 percent), per 
capita dry bean use in 2003 totaled 6.6 poundsdown 1 percent from a year earlier.

Dry peas and lentils: Due to more attractive prices and the income security offered by the marketing loan 
program, area planted and harvested increased for both dry peas and lentils in 2003. For dry peas, strong yields in 
the upper Midwest outweighed low yields in the Pacific Northwest caused by heat and drought, leaving yields up 
from a year earlier. As a result, U.S. dry pea production (excluding wrinkled seed peas) increased from a year 
earlier. According to industry data, all the increase was for dry green peas (up 27 percent), while output of yellow 
peas dropped 22 percent.  

With prices remaining attractive, harvested area increased again for both dry peas and lentils in 2004.  According 
to both USDA and industry estimates, 2004 dry pea planted area was up more than one-third while lentil area rose 
about one-fifth. With relatively favorable weather pointing toward average yields or better, production will likely 
be up for peas and lentils.  The new larger crops will be added to existing carryover stocks that USDA measured 
on June 1 for the first time (the crop year begins on July 1). The stocks report, which was initiated in support of 
the marketing loan program, indicated there were 571,000 cwt of dry edible peas, 271,000 cwt of lentils, and 
28,000 cwt of Austrian winter peas stored in all positions on June 1.  

The preliminary 2003/04 season-average price for all dry edible peas fell 15 percent to $6.60 per cwt, while the 
average price for all lentils was estimated to have risen 15 percent to $16.40 per cwt.  As a result, the value of 
U.S. dry pea and lentil production (excluding wrinkled seed peas but including Austrian winter peas) totaled $76 
million in the 2003 seasonup 8 percent from a year earlier.  The 2003/04 lentil crop was valued at $40 million, 
up 12 percent from a year ago.

Mushrooms: During the 2002/03 crop year (July-June), total U.S. mushroom sales volume remained unchanged 
at 844 million pounds. Volume of fresh-market Agaricus mushrooms, which accounted for 82 percent of all 
Agaricus sales, rose less than 1 percent to 692 million pounds. Agaricus processing volume declined 2 percent to 
139 million pounds45 percent below the 1992/93 peak. The industry continues to move toward fresh-market 
uses, with the outlets for processed products becoming increasingly limited. Intended Agaricus bed and tray 
production area for the 2003/04 season is expected to remain steady at 141 million square feet. Brown Agaricus 
mushrooms (including portobello and crimini varieties) continue to be the fastest growing segment of the 
mushroom industry over the last several years.  These varieties now account for 111 million pounds in sales13 
percent of total Agaricus volume. Volume has more than doubled since 1998/99 when brown Agaricus sales 
totaled 50 million pounds.  The sales volume of specialty mushrooms (excluding brown Agaricus), most of which 
are sold in the fresh market, remained flat at 13 million pounds.  Shiitake mushroom sales increased 3 percent to 
8.3 million pounds while sales of oyster (down 16 percent) and other specialties declined.  Per capita use of all 
mushrooms increased slightly in 2003 to 4.1 pounds, with a 2-percent increase in fresh market use offsetting lower 
processing use. 

Contacts:
  Gary Lucier, glucier@ers.usda.gov, (202) 694-5253 
  Andy Jerardo, ajerardo@ers.usda.gov, (202) 694-5266



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