Report: Grapes are the top value U.S. fruit crop

Industry statistics released during the recent Wine America conference, held this year in Oregon's Willamette Valley, provided the latest official look at the U.S. wine industry.

Here are a few tidbits, based on 2014 numbers, the latest year for which full-year statistics are available:

• Grapes, valued at nearly $6 billion annually, are the highest value fruit crop in the United States, and represent 37% of the value of all non-citrus fruit.

 • Grapes are the 6th largest fruit crop, with nearly 25,000 farms on over 1 million acres producing almost 7 million tons in 2014

• The U.S. accounts for 6% of the world's grape acreage, but 10% of grape production, reflecting its productivity and efficiency. • There are more than 8,700 wineries in the U.S. producing over 830 million gallons, with California accounting for 85% of that. (Washington is second, New York third.)

• The U.S. produces 12% of the world's wine, and consumes 13% of all wine, making it the No. 1 wine-consuming nation. • U.S. wine exports (90% from California) reached $1.49 billion in value in 2014.

 • Nearly 30,000,000 people visit wineries annually, providing employment to over 50,000 people. Wine America: The National Association of American Wineries counts 44 New York State wineries among its members.

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