Vegetables
Introduction to Florida Agriculture
Florida represents 32% of the total U.S. value for fresh market bell peppers, with a total value over $206 million. Florida is the second largest producer of bell peppers in the nation.
Florida produces 1,317 acres of broccoli. With a US average of 158.5 cwt per acre, Florida produces over 23 million pounds of broccoli every year! The sale of broccoli accounts for $2.7 million dollars for Florida agriculture.
Florida harvests anywhere from 8,000 to 9,000 acres of cabbage every year. Florida produces over 330 million pounds of cabbage every year! Cabbage has an approximate value of $60 million to the Florida economy.
Florida produces over 4,200 acres of carrots each year, and harvests about 298 million pounds of carrots! Carrots have an economic value of $83.6 million for the state.
Florida produces over 8 million pounds of cauliflower on approximately 354 acres across the state. Cauliflower has an economic value over $4.5 million in Florida.
Florida has about 3,000 acres of celery each year, producing over 169 million pounds of celery! This crop has an economic value of approximately $31 million for the state, accounting for nearly 10% of US production value.
38% of US cucumbers for processing come from Florida. Cucumbers represent a total value of $97 million. Florida is the number one state for processing cucumber production, accounting for 38% of US sales.
In addition, fresh cucumbers from Florida have a total value of $40 million in agricultural sales for the state. Florida is the second largest producer of fresh cucumbers, accounting for 26% of US production.
Florida produces about 12% of eggplants in the US, over 17 million pounds. About 685 acres of eggplants are grown in the state each year and bring in nearly $12 million in economic value.
11 percent of the total US value of fresh market cabbage comes from Florida, representing a value of $42 million. Florida is the 3rd largest producer of fresh cabbage in the US, accounting for 10% of sales.
Potatoes represent 1.6% of Florida's agricultural sales, with a total value of $122 million! Florida is the 12th largest producer of potatoes and the 4th largest producer of sweet potatoes in the US.
Florida produces radishes on over 6,000 acres throughout the state, delivering over 1.5 million pounds each season. Florida produces over 20% of radishes grown in the US.
Florida represents 34% of the US value for fresh market snap beans, with a total value of $68.8 million. Florida is the second largest producer of fresh snap beans in the US, accounting for 34% of total production.
Sale of Florida squash generates over $29 million for the Florida economy. Squash is grown on 7,500 acres each year throughout the state and accounts for more than 20% of US production.
Florida represents 22% of the total US value for fresh market sweet corn, with a total value of $158 million. Field corn has a value of over $20 million to Florida agriculture.
Florida is the second largest producer of sweet corn in the nation, accounting for 22% of US sales.
Florida represents 34% of the US value for fresh market tomatoes, with a total value of $262 million. Florida is the largest producer of fresh market tomatoes in the US, accounting for 34% of production.
Data sources:
Global Agricultural Trade System (GATS), Foreign Ag Service (FAS), USDA.
Vegetables Annual Summary, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA.
2017 Agriculture Census, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA.