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Hot Topics Relating to Livestock and Forages
Where Does Our Food Come From?, July 2007
Fruits and Vegetables
- Bananas: Costa Rica, Ecuador, Colombia, Guatemala, and
Honduras.
- Apples: 94% from U.S.A.; rest from Chile, New Zealand and
Canada.
- Oranges: Most from U.S.A. In winter, some from South Africa
and Australia.
- Apricots, avocados, grapes, kiwifruit, limes, mangoes,
nectarines, papayas, peaches, pineapples, plums, strawberries,
tangerines: U.S.A., Mexico, Chile, the Philippines, and Thailand.
- Potatoes: U.S.A.
- Tomatoes: U.S.A., Mexico, and Canada.
- Lettuce, leafy green vegetables, and carrots: USA.
- Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, squash and snap beans: U.S.A.,
Mexico, Canada, and China.
- Dried beans, peas, and lentils: U.S.A. and Mexico.
Deli
- Cold cuts and less expensive cheeses: U.S.A.
- Prepared salads: Hard to tell because of the number of
ingredients.
Seafood
- Shrimp is the most popular seafood eaten in the U.S.A. In
2006, almost all of it came from these five countries (by volume):
Thailand, 33%; China, 12%; Indonesia, 10%; Ecuador, 10%; Vietnam, 8%.
Soda Pop
- All American, because pop consists primarily of water and
high-fructose corn syrup, and America produces enormous amounts of
cheap, high-fructose corn sugar.
Meat
- Beef: 16% is imported from Canada, Mexico, Australia, and
New Zealand.
- Pork: 6% is imported from Canada and Denmark. (Denmark is a
big supplier of baby back ribs.)
- Chicken: No chicken is imported.
Dairy
- Milk, butter, yogurt, eggs: U.S.A.
Juices
- Brazil is the largest suppler of orange juice.
- Apple: Argentina, Chile and China are the leading suppliers.
Pasta
- American, except for pasta imported from Italy.
Coffee and Tea
- Coffee: Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Guatemala.
- Tea: Sri Lanka, India, China, Japan, and Kenya.
Bread
- Homemade: 94% of wheat used here is U.S. grown. About 6%
comes from Canada and Mexico. The U.S.A. is the world’s largest wheat
exporter.
Peanut Butter
- It’s all from U.S.-grown peanuts.
Jellies and Jams
- Both U.S. and foreign-grown fruits, mostly from the European
Union. Unless labeled, it’s impossible to know.
Heat-and-Serve
- No way to know. The starches – potatoes, rice, and flour –
in them are almost certainly from the U.S.A. The spices and other
ingredients could be from anywhere in the world.
Baking Items
- Flour: 94% U.S.A., the rest from Canada and Mexico.
- Sugar: About 50% is from the USA. The rest comes from
Brazil, Caribbean countries, and Australia.
Oils
- Corn, soy: U.S.A.
- Canola: (short for Canadian Oil) Canada.
- Olive oil: Read the label. Much oil labeled “bottled in
Italy” actually comes from Spain, Greece, Tunisia, and other
Mediterranean countries.
Nuts
- Almonds: U.S.A.
- Brazil nuts: Brazil.
- Cashews: India.
- Hazelnuts: U.S.A. and Europe.
- Pistachios: U.S.A.
- Pecans: U.S.A. and Mexico.
- Walnuts: U.S.A.
Wine
- This is one place where coming from overseas is celebrated.
Sources: Food and Drug Administration; U.S. Department of Agriculture; U.S.
Apple Commission; American Meat Institute; Phil Lempert; National Association of
Wheat Growers; Tea Association of the U.S.A.
Published: USA Today (July 11, 2007)
Dr. Tom R. Troxel
Professor and Associate Department Head - Animal Science
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