Census of Horticulture Specialties released by USDA

The 2009 Census of Horticultural Specialties released by USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that the sales of food crops grown under protection in the U.S. more than doubled in the last decade.

Sales of these crops, which include fruits and vegetables in hothouses, as well as transplants for commercial vegetable production increased 149% since the last time the census of horticulture was conducted in 1998. In 2009, growers reported $553 million in sales of food crops grown under protection, up from $223 million. Total sales of transplants for commercial vegetable production increased from $156 million to $331 million during this same period.

“Overall, total sales of horticultural crops between 1998 and 2009 increased by 10% to $11.7 billion,” said Joe Prusacki, NASS Statistics Division director. “Looking at the entire agricultural industry however, this 10% increase lags behind the 60% increase seen for all agricultural crop commodities during this same time period.”

Sales of annual bedding/garden plants and perennials increased the most on the floriculture side, up 33% and 34.5%, respectively, between 1998 and 2009. Potted flowering pots only showed a slight gain of 0.4%. Cut flowers (-21%) and foliage plants (-14%) experienced the biggest drop in sales.

The top selling annual bedding plants were:

1. Petunias
2. Geraniums
3. Pansies
4. Impatiens
5. Begonias

The single largest expense for horticultural specialty operations is hired labor, which accounts for 38% of total expenses. Seed, plants, vines and trees were the second biggest expense at 15.6% Gasoline, fuels and oils were the lowest total expense at about 5%.

Pictured: According to the 2009 Census of Horticulture, U.S. sales of food crops grown under protection increased 149% since the last time the census of horticulture was conducted in 1998.