How Much Of Us Food Is Imported

Alright, picture this: You're at your favorite diner, chowing down on a massive stack of pancakes, and suddenly, you start wondering, "How much of this culinary delight is actually from my home turf?" Well, buckle up, because we're about to dive into the wild world of food imports, and let me tell you, it's a rollercoaster of surprises!

Let's Start With The Obvious

You might think, "Hey, I'm in the good ol' US of A, so most of my food must be from here, right?" Well, hold onto your hats, folks, because that's not quite the case. According to the USDA, we imported around $136 billion worth of food in 2020. Yes, you read that right - $136 billion! That's like if you walked into a restaurant and ordered a $136 billion burger. And you thought your last grocery bill was bad!

So, What's On The Menu?

Now, you're probably wondering what exactly we're importing. Well, it's a veritable smorgasbord of goodies! Topping the list are fruits and veggies - yes, even those. In fact, we import about 40% of our fresh fruit and 15% of our fresh vegetables. I know, I know, it's enough to make a farmer blush. But don't worry, we're not just importing the fancy stuff - we're talking about good old-fashioned potatoes, too. In fact, we imported over 6 million metric tons of them in 2020. That's enough spuds to make a mountain of fries that could reach the moon and back!

But it's not just produce that's making the journey across the pond. We're also importing a whole lot of meat. In 2020, we imported over $16 billion worth of it. That's enough to make a cow say, "Moo-ney talks!" And let's not forget about seafood. We're importing so much of it that if you laid out all the shrimp we import each year, it would stretch from here to... well, the moon. Again. We really like shrimp, okay?

How to Import Food Products to the U.S. For Resale | USA Customs Clearance

But Why, You Ask?

You might be thinking, "Why on earth would we import so much food when we've got plenty of farmland right here?" Well, my friends, it's all about the Benjamins. Or, more accurately, the lack thereof. Sometimes, it's just cheaper to import certain foods than it is to grow them here. Plus, variety is the spice of life, and importing food allows us to enjoy a wider range of fruits, veggies, and other goodies that might not grow so well in our neck of the woods.

But here's where it gets interesting. You know how we were talking about that $136 billion we spent on imports? Well, we also exported around $138 billion worth of food in 2020. That's right, folks - we're basically breaking even in the global food trade. It's like we're playing a massive game of foodie poker, and we're all in!

USMCA, Canada, & Mexico - Mexico: Trade & FDI | Economic Research Service

So, What's The Takeaway?

At the end of the day, the fact that we import so much food is actually a testament to our interconnected world. It's a reminder that we're all part of a global community, sharing resources and enjoying the fruits (and veggies) of each other's labor. So, the next time you sit down to a meal, take a moment to appreciate the journey your food took to get to your plate. And who knows? Maybe you'll even raise a glass to the farmers, sailors, and truck drivers who made it all possible.

But for now, let's raise a glass to the power of food to bring us together - whether it's grown here or imported from halfway around the world. Cheers!