At the southeastern tip of the Sunshine State sits a lively, culturally rich, pastel paradise which also happens to be a critical gateway for the nation’s fresh produce trade: welcome to Miami.
Incorporated in 1896, this vibrant metropolis is steeped in colorful Cuban influence, steamy temperatures, and plentiful sunshine. Often called the “Capital of Latin America,” Miami is home to a huge, ever-growing Hispanic population. Nearly 2.7 million people live in Miami-Dade County—Hispanics or Latinos represent more than two-thirds of the county’s population—and new residents are flocking to the area by the thousands, bringing rich cultural traditions, delicious cuisine, and a love of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Growers & Growing in South Florida
Thanks to the region’s humid subtropical climate and year-round growing season, Miami-Dade County boasts one of the most diverse agriculture industries in the country. Unfortunately, record rainfall and flooding in December wiped out many of South Florida’s crops, affecting a number of Miami-Dade’s farms and the 11,000 residents employed by the county’s agriculture sector. The aftermath will also put a dent in the region’s $1.6 billion annual contribution to the state’s coffers.
Among the top producers in South Florida is the Redland region near Homestead, where a wide range of crops are grown. A small unincorporated community about 20 miles southwest of downtown Miami, Redland is famous for its tropical fruit, which cannot be grown commercially anywhere else in the nation. Redland growers harvest everything from mangos, papaya, and passion fruit to guava, dragon fruit, and plantains. The region’s top fruit, however, is the avocado—which accounts for approximately 7,500 acres of Miami-Dade’s prime acreage, providing $54 million to the regional economy.
Miami-Dade growers also produce an array of vegetables including beans, sweet corn, squash, sweet potatoes, okra, tomatoes, peppers, and taro root. The county is also the Sunshine State’s leading growing region for fresh-market bush snap beans, producing 57 percent of Florida’s crop.
The Produce Center & Facilities
Some of this locally grown product is sold at the Miami Produce Center, but this wholesale operation has been on the decline in recent years. The nine-acre Produce Center, which opened in 1938 as the Dade County Market, is home to only a few small produce suppliers.
Some of the larger wholesalers and shippers have moved, setting up state-of-the-art facilities elsewhere in the county and Miami metropolitan region.
“The Miami market is very fragmented,” points out Rosann Cabrera, president of Bayshore Produce LLC, an importer, exporter, and distributor in Miami. “Many of the larger produce companies have moved away to other areas of Greater Miami.” Cabrera says these produce companies are not congregated in a specific area, but are scattered around the region from Doral and Medley to the northwest to Opa-locka, which is about 15 miles north of downtown Miami.
