The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducted a 2022 vegetable grower inquiry. It found that the nation’s production for 26 estimated vegetable and melon crops totaled 658 million cwt, down 2% from 2021. The three largest crops were tomatoes, onions and sweet corn, which combined for 53% of all vegetables produced.
The value of utilized production for 2022 vegetable crops was $16.5 billion, up 27% from the previous year. Tomatoes, onions and romaine lettuce tallied the highest values, accounting for 30% of the utilized value of production when combined.
In Florida, tomato production totaled 756 million pounds in 2022, a 9% increase from 2021. Sweet corn production totaled 312 million pounds in 2022, down 18% from 2021. The value of utilized production for sweet corn was $124 million, down 17% from last year.
In Georgia, onion production totaled 274 million pounds in 2022, down 9% from 2021. However, the value of utilized production was $171 million, up 30% from the prior year. Sweet corn production totaled 278 million pounds in 2022, down 10% from 2021. The value of utilized production for sweet corn was $99 million, up 26% from the prior year.
Watermelon production totaled 117 million pounds in South Carolina in 2022. It was a decrease of 7% from the prior year. The value of utilized production for watermelons was $21.4 million, up 12% from 2021.