| OU 332 | October 9, 1997 |
Per capita consumption for all fruits grew to 287.5 pounds in 1996. U.S.
fresh fruit consumption averaged 119.2 pounds for citrus and 168.2 pounds for
noncitrus fruit.
Fresh Fruit Consumption
Fresh citrus consumption increased 11 percent in 1996. Most of the
increase came from fresh oranges, while fresh grapefruit consumption appears
to have stabilized. Fresh-market grapefruit consumption is becoming
increasing dependent upon exports to European and Asian countries.
Fresh noncitrus per capita fruit consumption rose less than 1 percent in
1996. Since 1990, per capital consumption on average has maintained this
percentage increase. Last year consumption was down over 3 percent.
Most of the increase in noncitrus per capita fruit consumption came from
nontraditional fruit categories. In 1996, cherry and plum consumption
increased by 41 and 50 percent, respectively, due to increased production.
Papaya consumption grew 49 percent; mangos increased 20 percent; and avocados
increased 17 percent. Demand for these tropical fruits is met via Mexican and
other Latin American imports. Increases in fruit imports are following
changes in American cuisine that feature Asian and Latin dishes.
Canned Fruit
Total canned fruit consumption in 1996 was 18.6 pounds (fresh weight
equivalent) per person. Increases, over last year's consumption, occurred in
peaches, olives, apricots and pineapples. In general, despite year-to-year
fluctuations due to changes in inventory levels, canned fruit consumption in
the U.S. has shown a steady pattern of decline over the last six years.
Frozen Fruit
Americans consumed 4.1 pounds (fresh weight equivalent) of frozen fruit in
1996. This is down 11 percent from 1995. Declines were seen in cherry,
peach, strawberry and blueberry frozen production. Increases occurred in
raspberries and other berries with raspberry frozen consumption at an all time
record level. Frozen apple and apricot consumption remained steady.
Dried Fruit
Consumption of major dried fruit has declined about 2 percent per year
since the early 1990's, mostly due to a decline in raisin consumption. Raisin
consumption accounts for over one-half of the dried fruit consumed in the
United States. Consumption declines were due to grapes being diverted to
fresh consumption and wine production. Per capita consumption also declined
for apricots and figs, but increased for dried dates, peaches and prunes.
Apple and pear consumption remained constant. Total dried fruit consumption
was estimated at 11.1 pounds (fresh weight equivalent) per person in 1996, the
lowest since 1981.
Fruit Juice
Fruit juice consumption accounts for 47 percent of all fruit consumed in
the U.S. Americans consumed 8.6 gallons of fruit juice per person in 1996.
Apple juice consumption increased 6 percent due to the large U.S. apple crop
in 1996. Apple juice accounts for nearly two-thirds of the total noncitrus
fruit juice consumed annually. Grape and prune juice consumption declined in
1996.
Citrus juice consumption was nearly steady in 1996. Domestic consumption
of orange juice totaled 1.4 billion gallons in 1996. Despite abundant
supplies of orange juice, retail prices remained firm throughout the year and
limited increases in consumption. As a result, orange juice stocks are
expected to be large going into the 1997/98 season. Grapefruit juice
consumption fell 21 percent in 1996, despite a large grapefruit crop in
Florida. Grapefruit juice movement in the marketplace was slow and remaining
stocks should pressure 1997 prices.
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