In 2016, 87.3 percent of food and beverage purchases by U.S. consumers, including both grocery store and eating out purchases, were from domestic production. The remaining 12.7 percent were imported food and beverages such as produce from Chile or wines from France. Imports’ share of the U.S. food and beverage dollar has almost doubled over the last two decades from 6.9 percent in 1993, due in part to growing demand by U.S. consumers for year-round fresh produce options and increasing global trade in food and beverages. Imported inputs are used in U.S. food and beverage production, and their share of the U.S. food and beverage dollar has also risen. Imported inputs used by U.S. food companies and restaurants include both food inputs, such as avocadoes from Mexico and cranberries from Canada, and non-food inputs such as natural gas and foreign-made restaurant equipment. In 2016, imported inputs used in domestically produced food and beverages accounted for 4.7 percent of the U.S. food and beverage dollar, up from 3.7 percent in 1993. The data for this chart are from ERS’s Food Dollar Series data product.
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Percentage Breakdown of Food and Beverage Purchases (2016):
- The article states that in 2016, 87.3 percent of food and beverage purchases by U.S. consumers originated from domestic production. This figure encompasses both grocery store purchases and eating out expenditures. The remaining 12.7 percent constituted imported food and beverages, exemplified by products like produce from Chile or wines from France.
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Trend in Imports Over Two Decades (1993-2016):
- The import share of the U.S. food and beverage market has experienced a notable surge over the last two decades. In 1993, imports accounted for 6.9 percent of the market, and by 2016, this share had nearly doubled to 12.7 percent. This shift is attributed, in part, to the growing demand among U.S. consumers for year-round access to fresh produce and the broader trend of increasing global trade in food and beverages.
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Imported Inputs in U.S. Food and Beverage Production:
- The article highlights that imported inputs play a crucial role in U.S. food and beverage production. These inputs include both food items, such as avocados from Mexico and cranberries from Canada, and non-food inputs like natural gas and foreign-made restaurant equipment. In 2016, imported inputs used in domestically produced food and beverages constituted 4.7 percent of the total U.S. food and beverage expenditure, marking an increase from 3.7 percent in 1993.
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Data Source: ERS’s Food Dollar Series:
- The data presented in the article is sourced from ERS’s Food Dollar Series data product. ERS likely stands for the Economic Research Service, a branch of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) responsible for economic and statistical analysis related to agriculture and food.
This comprehensive breakdown demonstrates the intricate interplay of domestic and international factors influencing the U.S. food and beverage market. The data underscores the increasing reliance on imported products and inputs, reflecting the complex and interconnected nature of global food economies.
