USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released its 2024 summary report with production estimates for 28 vegetable and melon crops.
The two largest vegetable crops, in terms of area harvested, were sweet corn and tomatoes. In terms of total production, the largest crop was tomatoes.
Artichokes: Production in 2024 totaled 672,000 cwt, down 13 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 4,200 acres, down 2 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 4,200 acres, was down 2 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $67.9 million, 6 percent above the previous season. Utilized production totaled 672,000 cwt, all of which was for the fresh market.
Asparagus: Production in 2024 totaled 458,600 cwt, down 14 percent from 2023 in comparable States. Planted area was estimated at 12,800 acres, down 9 percent from the previous year in comparable States. Area harvested, at 11,700 acres, was down 14 percent from 2023 in comparable States. The value of the crop totaled $46.7 million, down 19 percent from the previous season in comparable States. Utilized production totaled 458,300 cwt, of which 318,700 cwt was for the fresh market and 6,982 tons for processing. Beginning in 2024, estimates for asparagus were discontinued in California.
Snap beans: Production in 2024 totaled 10.7 million cwt, down 21 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 140,100 acres, down 9 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 135,900 acres, was down 7 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $324 million, 5 percent below the previous season. Utilized production totaled 10.7 million cwt, of which 2.45 million cwt was for the fresh market and 409,908 tons for processing. Beginning in 2024, estimates for snap beans were discontinued in Minnesota.
Beet: Production in 2024 totaled 2.60 million cwt. Planted area was estimated at 9,900 acres. Area harvested, was estimated at 9,700 acres. The value of the crop totaled $86.3. million. Utilized production totaled 2,599.2 million cwt, of which 92,423 cwt was for the fresh market and 83,747 tons for processing. In 2024, estimates for beets began in California, New York, and Wisconsin.
Broccoli: Production in 2024 totaled 13.5 million cwt, down 3 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 99,500 acres, down 3 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 99,000 acres, was down 3 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $1.09 billion, 9 percent more than the previous year. Utilized production totaled 135.4 million cwt, of which 130.6 million cwt was for the fresh market and 23,615 tons for processing.
Cabbage: Production in 2024 totaled 20.7 million cwt, down slightly from 2023 in comparable States. Planted area was estimated at 51,900 acres, down 4 percent from the previous year in comparable States. Area harvested, at 50,800 acres, was down 2 percent from 2023 in comparable States. The value of the crop totaled $642 million, 10 percent more than the previous season in comparable States. Utilized production totaled 20.6 million cwt, of which 17.4 million cwt was for the fresh market and 160,615 tons for processing. In 2024, cabbage estimates began for North Carolina.
Cantaloupes: Production in 2024 totaled 10.6 million cwt, up 1 percent from the previous year. Planted area was estimated at 44,400 acres, up 5 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 44,100 acres, up 5 percent from the previous year. The value of the crop totaled $302 million, down 5 percent from the previous year. Utilized production totaled 10.6 million cwt, all of which was for the fresh market. In 2024, estimates for cantaloupes were added in Texas and discontinued in Florida.
Carrots: Production in 2024 totaled 24.8 million cwt, down 14 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 63,200 acres, down 3 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 62,500 acres, was down 2 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $1.72 billion, 1 percent more than the previous year. Utilized production totaled 24.8 million cwt, of which 19.6 million cwt was for the fresh market and 260,454 tons for processing.
Cauliflower: Production in 2024 totaled 8.53 million cwt, up 5 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 42,300 acres, down 6 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 42,200 acres, was down 6 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $613 million, 8 percent more than the previous season. Utilized production totaled 8.53 million cwt, of which 8.49 million cwt was for the fresh market and 1,840 tons for processing.
Celery: Production in 2024 totaled 14.9 million cwt, up 5 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 26,500 acres, down 3 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 26,400 acres, decreased 3 percent from the previous year. The value of the crop totaled $357 million, down 4 percent from previous year. Utilized production for 2024 totaled 14.9 million cwt, up 5 percent from 2023.
Sweet corn: Production in 2024 totaled 52.7 million cwt, down 14 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 342,800 acres, down 7 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 336,400 acres, was down 6 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $895 million, 7 percent less than the previous year. Utilized production totaled 52.4 million cwt, of which 14.9 million cwt was for the fresh market and 1.87 million tons were for processing.
Cucumbers: Production in 2024 totaled 11.3 million cwt, down 21 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 84,800 acres, up 2 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 83,800 acres, was up 2 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $226 million, 24 percent less than the previous season. Utilized production totaled 11.3 million cwt, of which 2.63 million cwt was for the fresh market and 431,672 tons for processing.
Garlic: Production in 2024 totaled 3.65 million cwt, down 5 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 25,300 acres, down 5 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 25,200 acres, down 5 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $214 million, 29 percent less than the previous season. Utilized production totaled 3.65 million cwt, of which 953,700 cwt was for the fresh market and 135,015 tons for processing.
Honeydew: Production in 2024 totaled 2.61 million cwt, up 11 percent from the previous season. Planted area was estimated at 9,000 acres, up 7 percent from the previous year. Harvested area, at 9,000 acres, was also up 7 percent from the previous season. The value of the crop totaled $82.5 million, up 13 percent from the previous season. Utilized production totaled 2.61 million cwt, all of which was for the fresh market.
Kale: Production in 2024 totaled 973,500 cwt. Planted area was estimated at 6,000 acres. Area-harvested was estimated at 5,900 acres. The value of the crop totaled $78.4 million. Utilized production totaled 973,500 cwt. In 2024, estimates for kale began in California.
Head lettuce: Production in 2024 totaled 41.8 million cwt, down 4 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 109,800 acres, down 10 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 109,600 acres, was down 10 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $1.67 billion, 10 percent more than the previous season. Utilized production totaled 41.8 million cwt, all of which was for the fresh market.
Leaf lettuce: Production in 2024 totaled 16.1 million cwt, down 8 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 75,300 acres, up 5 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 75,200 acres, was up 5 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $1.27 billion, 1 percent more than the previous season. Utilized production totaled 16.1 million cwt, all of which was for the fresh market.
Romaine lettuce: Production in 2024 totaled 39.1 million cwt, down 6 percent from the 2023 total. Planted area was estimated at 116,800 acres, down 11 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 116,600 acres, was down 11 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $1.66 billion, 17 percent less than the previous season. Utilized production totaled 39.1 million cwt, all of which was for the fresh market.
Onions: Production in 2024 totaled 77.1 million cwt, up 5 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 136,500 acres, down 1 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 134,900 acres, was up 1 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $2.00 billion, 13 percent more than the previous year. Utilized production totaled 76.8 million cwt, of which 54.9 million cwt was for the fresh market and 1.10 million tons were for processing. Beginning in 2024, estimates for onions were discontinued in Colorado.
Green peas: Production in 2024 totaled 4.50 million cwt, down 15 percent from the previous season. Plante area was estimated at 102,200 acres, down 15 percent from the previous season. Area harvested, at 97,800 acres, down 16 percent from the previous season. The value of the crop totaled $74.1 million, down 21 percent from the previous season. Utilized production totaled 4.50 million cwt, of which 55,000 cwt was for the fresh market and 224,455 tons was for processing.
Bell peppers: Production in 2024 totaled 9.81 million cwt, down 8 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 32,000 acres, down 8 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 31,300 acres, was down 9 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $626 million, 2 percent more than the previous year. Utilized production totaled 9.77 million cwt, of which 8.06 million cwt was for the fresh market and 85,384 tons for processing.
Chile peppers: Production in 2024 totaled 2.32 million cwt, up 13 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 13,300 acres, up 12 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 13,000 acres, was up 12 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $94.8 million, 6 percent more than the previous year. Utilized production totaled 2.31 million cwt, of which 390,100 cwt was for the fresh market and 96,375 tons for processing.
Pumpkins: Production in 2024 totaled 14.4 million cwt, down 10 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 73,500 acres, up 6 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 68,900 acres, was up 7 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $274 million, 16 percent more than the previous season. Utilized production totaled 14.2 million cwt, of which 9.77 million cwt was for the fresh market and 221,955 tons for processing.
Spinach: Production in 2024 totaled 6.17 million cwt, down 27 percent from 2023 in comparable States. Planted area was estimated at 50,800 acres, down 22 percent from the previous year in comparable States. Area harvested, at 50,700 acres, was down 22 percent from 2023 in comparable States. The value of the crop totaled $545 million, 19 percent less than the previous season in comparable States. Utilized production totaled 6.17 million cwt, of which 5.72 million cwt was for fresh market and 22,812 tons for processing. Beginning in 2024, estimates for spinach were discontinued in New Jersey and Texas.
Squash: Production in 2024 totaled 6.19 million cwt, up 3 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 39,200 acres, down 6 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, at 37,600 acres, was down 6 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $204 million, 13 percent below the previous season. Utilized production totaled 6.15 million cwt, of which 4.39 million cwt was for the fresh market and 87,750 tons for processing.
Sweet potatoes: Production in 2024 totaled 24.7 million cwt, down 11 percent from 2023 in comparable States. Planted area was estimated at 149,400 acres, up 10 percent from the previous year in comparable States. Area harvested, at 148,200 acres, was up 9 percent from 2023 in comparable States. The value of the crop totaled $615 million down 13 percent from the previous season in comparable States. Utilized production totaled 24.6 million cwt, of which 18.6 million cwt was for the fresh market and 299,507 tons for processing. In 2024, sweet potato estimates began in Arkansas and Louisiana.
Tomatoes: Production in 2024 totaled 236 million cwt, down 14 percent from 2023. Planted area was estimated at 269,000 acres, down 14 percent from the previous year. Area harvested, estimated at 261,900 acres, was down 13 percent from 2023. The value of the crop totaled $1.97 billion, 23 percent less than the previous season. Utilized production totaled 234 million cwt, of which 12.0 million cwt was for the fresh market and 11.1 million tons for processing.
Watermelons: Production in 2024 totaled 37.0 million cwt, up slightly from the previous season. Planted area was estimated at 110,900 acres, up 9 percent from the previous season. Area harvested, at 109,000 acres, up 10 percent from the previous season. The value of the crop totaled $686 million, down 12 percent from the previous season. Utilized production totaled 36.9 million cwt, all of which was for the fresh market.
