Fruit & Tree Nut Farming
Companies in this industry grow fruits and tree nuts for commercial production. Major companies include Blue Diamond Growers, Chiquita Brands, Dole Food Company, Fresh Del Monte Produce, the National Grape Cooperative and its Welch's subsidiary, Ocean Spray, and Tropicana, all based in the US.
The global fruit and nut farming market is forecast to reach about $2 trillion in 2027, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7%, according to the Business Research Company. Apples, bananas, watermelon, almonds, walnuts, and cashews are the most produced crops, according to Statista. China, the US, and Turkey are the world's leading growers, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The US fruit and tree nut farming industry includes about 120,000 farms with combined annual revenue of about $25 billion. Separate industry profiles cover Vegetable & Melon Farming and Fruit & Vegetable Processing.
Competitive Landscape
Demand is driven by US population growth and consumer trends in food consumption. The profitability of individual companies depends on maximizing crop yield and minimizing risk of disease. Large companies and farm cooperatives have advantages in highly mechanized operations, branded food products, and access to low-cost labor. Small operations can compete effectively by specializing in agritourism as well as organic, heirloom, or unusual fruits and nuts.
The fruit and nut industry competes with grain, vegetable, and melon farming for crop acreage, as farmers tend to plant and harvest crops with the highest yield and payout.
Products, Operations & Technology
Major US products include grapes (20% of industry revenue), almonds (21%) and apples (10%). Other leading products include strawberries (9%) and oranges
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Also includes the following chapters:
Quarterly Industry Update
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Industry Indicators
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Business Challenges
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Trends and Opportunities
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Call Preparation Questions
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Financial Information
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Industry Forecast
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Industry Websites
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Glossary of Acronyms