Illinois Vegetable and Fruit Industries

Production:

Commercial Vegetable Production: >120,000 Acres

Commercial Fruit Production: ~ 20,000 Acres

Value:

• Estimated Economical Value of Vegetable and Fruit Products: $1,000,000,000

• Educational Value: for Communities and Schools Statewide

• Entertainment Value: for Communities and Tourists

• Social Value: Significant

Major Vegetable and Fruit Crops Produced in Illinois:

Fruit Crops: Apple, Peach, Plum, Cherry, Grape, Raspberry, Blackberry, Blueberry, Strawberry

Vegetables: More Than 50 Different Vegetables; Major Ones Are: Asparagus, Beans, Crucifers (Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower...), Cucurbits (Cucumber, Melon, Pumpkin,...), Horseradish, Onion, Pepper, Sweet Corn, and Tomato

Size of Vegetable Farms: Up to 5,300 Acres

Illinois Ranks in Vegetable Production:

Among 50 States, Illinois Ranks:

• First in Pumpkin (90% of Processing Pumpkins of the Nation)

• First in Horseradish

• Third in Popcorn

• Fifth in Green Lima Bean

• Sixth in Green Peas

• Seventh in Snap Bean

• Seventh in Sweet Corn