Vegetable availability declined in 2024

The per capita availability of vegetables and pulses in the United States fell to 376 pounds per person in 2024, the lowest total in over 35 years, according to preliminary estimates from USDA, Economic Research Service. Per capita availability is a proxy for what is available to be consumed domestically. It reflects changes in domestic supply, trade, and population size while not accounting for any food loss or waste which may occur throughout the supply chain. The 2024 estimate represents a decline of 50 pounds from the 1996 peak and reflects long-term shifts in vegetable production and trade patterns. The overall trend away from potatoes and processing vegetables has driven much of the long-term decline. Processing vegetables declined by 32 pounds from 1996−2024, while potato availability dropped by 28 pounds. In turn, fresh vegetables increased by 6 pounds—from 142 pounds in 1996 to 148 pounds in 2024. Though modest in absolute terms, this increase, coupled with declines in other categories, contributed to fresh vegetables becoming the largest component of total per capita availability by 2024. In 2024, fresh vegetables accounted for 39 percent of total availability, followed by potatoes (31 percent), processing vegetables (25 percent), pulses (3 percent), and mushrooms (1 percent). A deeper look at the factors influencing the production, trade, and availability of vegetables and pulses can be found in the ERS Vegetables and Pulses Outlook: April 2025 report.