2023 State of the Vegetable Industry Survey Ranks the Top 10 Crops Right Now

By Carol Miller|July 5, 2023

Results from American Vegetable Grower’s 2023 State of the Vegetable Industry survey are in. And with that, welcome to our analysis of that data. As you know, USDA considers produce a specialty crop, which translates into few funds devoted to gathering intel on vegetable production. Our survey provides much-needed insight on labor, production, management concerns, and many other topics important to you.

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1. Fresh Tomatoes

% of Farms Growing Crop: 62%

2022 Ranking: 1

Photo courtesy of Lady Moon Farms
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2. Sweet Peppers (Bell)

% of Farms Growing Crop: 61%

2022 Ranking: 2
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3. Zucchini (summer squash)

% of Farms Growing Crop: 60%

2022 Ranking: 4
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4. Cucumber

% of Farms Growing Crop: 59%

2022 Ranking: 3

Photo by Paul Rusnak
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5. Winter Squash

% of Farms Growing Crop: 53%

2022 Ranking: 6
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6. Hot Pepper

% of Farms Growing Crop: 51%

2022 Ranking: 5
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7. Beans

% of Farms Growing Crop: 51%

2022 Ranking: 7
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8. Cabbage

% of Farms Growing Crop: 51%

2022 Ranking: 11

Photo by Paul Rusnak
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9. Onion

% of Farms Growing Crop: 50%

2022 Ranking: 9
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10. Leafy Greens

% of Farms Growing Crop: 50%

2022 Ranking: 10

Each year, you generously share what is happening in your narrow piece of the industry. Together with hundreds of your peers doing the same thing, it lets all of us better understand how the vegetable growing industry is faring.

What did we learn this time? For one, you’re diversifying your crop mix. For the first time since we began asking you, more than 50% grow all 10 of the top crops. For perspective, 50% or more of you grew only the top five crops last year. Scroll through the slideshow above for a ranking of the Top 10 vegetable crops being grown today.

You also shared what’s worrying you most these days. Year in, year out, the top slots are filled with labor (always No. 1) government regulations, weather, food safety rules, and pests.

Strikingly, after labor, those usual worries were pushed down by crop prices, inflation, weeds, fuel prices, and extreme weather. Government regulations, often in the No. 2 berth, and always in the top five, came in way down at No. 7. Our industry loves to hate regulations, so that demotion is eye-catching. Crop prices, inflation, and fuel prices all link to post-pandemic supply chain issues and economy.