COVID-19 Impact on Fruit and Vegetable Markets: One Year Later
27 Pages Posted: 1 Oct 2021
Date Written: March 2021
Abstract
More than one year after the outbreak of COVID-19, fruit and vegetable markets
continue to adjust to the evolving landscape. In this article, we focus on three key measures of
input and output market performance that serve as indicators of the stability of fruit and
vegetable markets in the medium-term, and offer some insight for how these markets will
continue to adjust in the longer run. Specifically, we use data to highlight the most recent trends
in (i) the production and aggregate movement for major fruit and vegetable crops in the United
States and Canada, (ii) labour supply and immigration visa patterns, and (iii) U.S.-Canada trade
patterns for fruits and vegetables. We provide evidence that the fresh produce supply chain has
remained relatively robust in the months following the outbreak of COVID-19.
Keywords: COVID-19, fruit and vegetables, supply chains, international trade
JEL Classification: Q13
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation