According to the USDA’s Economic Research Service, per capita availability of fresh vegetables in the United States dropped by 3% in 2024, falling to 148 pounds. While this figure doesn’t account for food loss or waste, it underscores changing consumption trends and possible supply chain issues across the country.
📊 Key Highlights:
- 🧅 Onions saw a 1% increase, rising to 21 pounds per person
- 🍅 Tomatoes rose 0.1%, now at 19 pounds per person
- 🥬 Total lettuce availability dropped to 28.6 pounds per capita
🥬 Lettuce Trends Reflect Consumer Shifts
- Iceberg lettuce fell by 6%, hitting a historic low of 12.4 pounds per person—down from 24 pounds in the 1990s.
- Romaine and leaf lettuces declined by 9%, though they remain significantly higher than 1990 levels (up from 6 pounds to 17 pounds in the 2020s).
Despite the dip, long-term data shows a pivot away from iceberg toward more nutrient-rich leafy greens—signaling evolving dietary preferences.
Stay tuned with AgNet West for more insights on crop trends, market shifts, and farm economics shaping the specialty produce industry
Lori Boyer reporting for AgNet West
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