Strawberries market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. strawberry market saw mixed trends in its early years. In 2019, market volume dipped to 1 091 thousand tonnes from 1 194 thousand tonnes the previous year, yet the market value rose to $3 991 million from $3 833 million, suggesting a shift toward higher-value products. This was followed by a sharp recovery in 2020, with volume jumping to 1 275 thousand tonnes and value to $4 732 million. This growth was supported by a rising consumer demand for organic and sustainable produce, along with innovations in strawberry-derived products like vegan ice creams.

Growth continued through 2021 and 2022. In 2021, organic strawberries captured 28% of the domestic market, fueling further value increase to $5 566 million on a volume of 1 314 thousand tonnes. The following year, the implementation of the USMCA trade agreement facilitated smoother cross-border flow of agricultural goods, impacting availability and prices. Simultaneously, the launch of heat-resistant hybrid varieties and Driscoll's digital initiatives and premium strawberry collections strengthened market offerings. The organic segment expanded by 10% in sales, reaching around $600 million, contributing to the overall market growth to 1 403 thousand tonnes and $5 751 million in value.

By 2023, the market reached 1 420 thousand tonnes in volume and $6 009 million in value, with the trend toward organic and sustainable products persisting. The expansion of controlled-environment and vertical farming methods improved year-round availability, supporting steady consumption.

Production strawberries in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, the United States ranked as the second-largest producer of strawberries from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of strawberries, 2017-2020

World map of production of strawberries, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, strawberry production in the United States rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 1 210 K t of strawberries, marking a 16.9% increase from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 035 K t, which saw the largest decline of 12.6% during this period.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year downturn, the value of strawberry production in the United States rose. In 2020, output was valued at 4 360 M $ US, up 22.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 9.2%, averaging a 3.0% annual increase. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 3 571 M $ US, with the largest decline of 7.4% recorded in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports strawberries from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, the United States exported 132.3 K t of strawberries, a slight increase of 1.2% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 9.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 130.8 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 152.1 K t. The largest decline of 14.0% occurred in 2019, and the largest increase of 3.9% was in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada was the primary destination for U.S. strawberry exports in volume, accounting for 75.9% of total shipments, with other markets playing a smaller role.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, U.S. strawberry exports reached 477.0 M $ US, showing a modest 5.7% increase year-over-year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 451.2 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 5.1% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada dominated U.S. strawberry exports in value terms, holding a 75.2% share of total flows, while other markets contributed minimally.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports strawberries to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

Strawberry imports into the United States grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 197.5 K t, up 5.9% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 18.5%, averaging a 5.8% annual rise. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 161.9 K t, which experienced the largest decline of 2.8%. The largest increase of 15.2% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017-2020, Mexico accounted for nearly all strawberry imports into the United States by volume, with a 99.0% share of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, U.S. strawberry imports were valued at 849.3 M $ US, down 2.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 32.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.7%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 609.6 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 5.1%. The highest value was in 2019 at 871.4 M $ US, with the largest increase of 42.9% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico overwhelmingly shaped the value structure of strawberry imports into the United States, representing 99.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020