Arizona’s Seasonal Role in National Supply of Vegetable & Melon Specialty Crops

Abstract

Arizona’s agricultural industries are diverse, producing a wide variety of field crops, orchard crops, fruits and vegetables, livestock, and livestock products. Western Arizona, including the Yuma area, and Central Arizona to a lesser extent, play niche roles in the production of specialty vegetable and melon crops. Because of geography and climate, Western and Central Arizona serve as the leading source and at times even exclusive source of certain commodities at the national level. This analysis provides an overview of Arizona’s seasonal role in supplying certain commodities nationally.