Despite possessing nearly a billion acres of prime farmland and a population of only 335 million people, the United States is experiencing a troubling shift in its agricultural independence. The nation that has long boasted about its ability to “feed the world” is projected to reach a record-breaking agricultural trade deficit of $45.5 billion in 2025, according to USDA economic forecasts.
Growing Dependence on Imported Produce
Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture reveals a concerning trend: in 2021, the United States imported 60 percent of its fresh fruit and 38 percent of its vegetables. Mexican imports alone surged from $15.7 billion in 2019 to $21 billion in 2023, reflecting an accelerating reliance on foreign producers for basic nutritional needs.
This trend coincides with a steady decline in the number of U.S. farms producing food for domestic consumption. Small and mid-sized farms growing fruits and vegetables for American consumers face increasingly difficult economic conditions, while agricultural conglomerates focused on commodity crops continue to expand their operations.
Subsidy Structure Favors Commodities Over Food Crops
An examination of USDA subsidy data shows a stark imbalance in government support programs. The majority of agricultural subsidies are directed toward commodity crops like corn and soybeans, which are primarily used for livestock feed, ethanol production, and ingredients in processed foods. Meanwhile, fruit and vegetable production—classified as “specialty crops” in USDA terminology—receives approximately four percent of subsidy funding.
