Key Takeaways:
- U.S. horticulture operations sold $18.3 billion worth of floriculture, nursery, and specialty crops in 2024, according to the latest USDA NASS census data.
- Nursery stock remained the top commodity at $5.34 billion in sales, while potted herbaceous perennials saw the largest percentage increase at 47% over 2019.
- California, Florida, and Oregon led all states in horticulture sales, with those three states and seven others accounting for 67% of total national sales.
- Labor remained the single largest expense for the industry, representing 36% of total production costs in 2024.
- Corporate-owned operations generated 63% of all sales despite making up a smaller share of total operations than family-owned farms.
USDA NASS Publishes National Horticulture Census With Record Sales Figures
The U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has published its 2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties, showing that the country's horticulture sector generated $18.3 billion in total sales across floriculture, nursery, and specialty crop categories. The report counted 23,060 horticulture operations nationwide.
The census, which has been conducted since 1889, remains the only comprehensive source of detailed production and sales data for these crop categories across the entire country.
“First conducted in 1889, the horticulture census provides data on sectors for which there are no other comprehensive data sources,” said NASS Administrator Joseph L. Parsons. “It is a valuable tool to highlight the contribution horticulture growers bring to our local, state, and national economies as well as changes in the industry over the past five years.”
Strong Growth Across Major Commodity Categories
Compared to the previous census in 2019, every major commodity category tracked in the report posted higher sales figures. The addition of mushroom and hemp production grown under protection also contributed to the overall increases in both sales totals and operation counts.
Nursery stock led all categories at $5.34 billion, a 17% increase over 2019. Potted herbaceous perennials recorded the steepest growth at 47%, reaching $1.36 billion. Food crops grown under protection climbed 44% to $1.01 billion, and sod, sprigs, and plugs rose 34% to $1.70 billion.
Annual bedding and garden plants posted $2.67 billion in sales, up 19%, while potted flowering plants grew 7% to $1.29 billion.
Top States Dominate National Sales
Production remained highly concentrated geographically. Ten states accounted for 67% of all horticulture sales in 2024. California led the nation at $3.07 billion, followed by Florida at $2.15 billion and Oregon at $1.29 billion.
Ownership and Cost Trends Across the Industry
The census revealed a split between the structure of operations and where revenue is concentrated. Family- or individually-owned operations represented 56% of all horticulture businesses, but corporate-owned operations captured 63% of total sales, amounting to $11.6 billion.
On the expense side, total industry costs climbed 33% since 2019. Labor continued to be the most significant cost driver, accounting for 36% of all production expenses in 2024.
What the USDA NASS Census Covers
The report is part of the broader Census of Agriculture program and covers the number and types of establishments involved in horticulture production, the value of their sales, product varieties, and production expenses. The 2024 edition included all operations that reported producing and selling at least $10,000 in horticultural crops on the 2022 Census of Agriculture.
Access the entire report.
