A. Malek Hammami
0009-0009-4846-8925

Specialist

TREC profile

Publications

The United States Orange Industry: Declining Production and Climbing Imports

A. Malek Hammami, Yi Li, and Zhengfei Guan

The US orange industry has been grappling with declining production since the early 2000s due to the outbreak of the Huanglongbing disease and various other challenges. To meet the market demand, the United States increasingly relies on imports, notably those from Mexico and Chile. This publication further explores the factors contributing to this trend and discusses potential solutions.

An Overview of the Avocado Market in the United States

A. Malek Hammami, Kuan-Ming Huang, Zhengfei Guan

Driven by its healthy and nutritious attributes, the US avocado market has experienced tremendous growth over the past two decades. This publication provides a comprehensive overview of US avocado production and trade. The US avocado market, marked by the decline of already limited US domestic production, is increasingly reliant on imports, especially those from Mexico. This overview aims to inform industry stakeholders and policymakers of the current state of the industry and offer insights into its sustainability.

The US Strawberry Industry: An Overview of Production and Trade

Yi Li, Jianhui Liu, A. Malek Hammami, andZhengfei Guan

This publication provides an overview of the US fresh strawberry industry, highlighting key trends in production, trade, and competitiveness. Fresh strawberries represent one of the most economically important specialty crops in the United States, with production valued at $3.3 billion in 2023. While domestic output has grown steadily—driven by California and Florida—imports, particularly from Mexico, have surged, shifting the United States from a net exporter to a net importer since 2012. It explores the structural challenges faced by US growers, including labor shortages, rising costs, and increasing foreign competition. It also discusses potential strategies for maintaining industry viability, such as mechanization, labor access, breeding innovations, and market differentiation. This analysis supports policymakers, trade analysts, and growers in understanding the evolving dynamics of the sector and identifying pathways for sustainable growth.