U.S. consumer preference for high-value products is reflected in imports

The U.S. share of agricultural consumption sourced from imports tends to be higher for higher-value agricultural product groups. This higher share is due to numerous factors—including the relative competitiveness in production, seasonal availability, consumer preferences, and others. Groups of products where the United States is more reliant on imports include sweeteners, processed sugar, and confections. Fruits, nuts, and vegetables are also frequently imported. The United States tends to have a lower reliance on imports for unprocessed agricultural commodities such as feed grains, livestock, and oilseeds. The total import share of consumption across all food and beverages between 2013 and 2022 was 16 percent, steadily growing over the period.