Total fruit imports to the USA rose by 9 percent year-on-year in February, largely driven by fresh berries. The growth in fruit imports – which includes fresh, frozen, processed and juice – to $2 billion included strong increases in fresh strawberries and blueberries. It was partially offset by a big drop in avocado imports.
Strawberries rose by 23 percent to $208 million, with Mexico being the main exporter to the US.
There was an increase of imports of conventional blueberries of 63 percent to $140 million. Imports from Chile rose by 33 percent to $75 million, and from Mexico and Peru they slightly more than doubled to $52 million and $13 million respectively.