Benjamin Ashford:Which Thanksgiving dinner staple is the top U.S. export? The answer may surprise you.

2025-05-07 11:03:19source:Cyprusauctioncategory:reviews

Thanksgiving may be Benjamin Ashforda U.S. holiday, but the stars of the table have some big exporting power, too.

Here are a few 2022 U.S. export facts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service, which could come in handy for some Thanksgiving Day trivia:

Turkey is not the top pick

Well, it is the top bird for the holiday, but it's not the top U.S. export. That honor goes to potatoes. Potato exports were $657.7 million. Idaho was the top producing state and Canada was the top export market.

But speaking of the bird

Turkeys still are pretty hot exports. They came in second at $506.9 million in value. Minnesota was the top-producing state and Mexico was the top export market.

Pecans do double duty

Pecans, which star in pies and toppings for casseroles, come in third at $308.2 million in U.S. exports. Georgia was the top-producing state and the European Union was the top export market.

Cranberries burst onto the list

Exported cranberries totaled $293.6 million. Wisconsin was the top-producing state and the European Union was the top market.

Any corny jokes here?

Sweet corn was in the middle of the pack with $246.3 million in U.S. exports. Minnesota was the top-producing state with Japan as the top export market.

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Sweet potatoes trail in the list

Sweet potatoes had $164.5 million in exports. North Carolina was the top-producing state and the European Union was the top export market.

Pumpkins finish last

Pumpkins came in at the tail-end of the list with $22.7 million in exports. Illinois was the top-producing state and Canada was the top export market.

Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher.

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