Muntin Cost Index · Open data CC0 US Census Bureau

The Import Shelf

Walk through 16 years of US food imports — 155 ingredients, about $72B a year. Every food shows a real import-value trend, a 12-month seasonal fingerprint, and its top origin countries. Every figure is import value (nominal customs dollars), never volume.

Key findings

Counter-seasonal fill

114 / 155

items see an import peak in Dec–Mar — the shelf fills exactly when the local harvest is bare. Imports mirror the domestic calendar; they don't parallel it.

A two-country spine

82 & 70

Mexico is a source for 82 foods, Canada for 70. No third country tops 16. And 28 foods draw ≥90% from a single country (18 Mexico, 7 Canada).

Dollars vs. drama

flat at the top

The biggest-value imports (ground beef, avocado, shrimp, banana) run nearly flat year-round; the wild seasonality sits in low-value produce like cherries (amplitude 3.3).

Compounded exposure

corr +0.29

The most seasonal foods also tend to be the most origin-concentrated — two risks that co-occur in the record. Shown as association, never cause.

The record shows its gaps

82 blanks

82 of 155 foods carry no import-reliance figure and 2 no concentration class. Gaps are shown as gaps, never padded.

The fingerprint wall

Each glyph is one food's 12-month seasonal fingerprint — the area rises above the dashed 1.0 baseline in the months imports surge. Reorder by peak month and the winter wave sweeps across the grid. Select any glyph to open its walk-through.

Value × seasonality

Where money lives versus where seasonality lives. Horizontal: annual import value (log scale). Vertical: seasonal amplitude (peak index minus trough). Base-load staples sit low-right; spiky produce sits high. Every dot is keyboard-reachable.

Amplitude is the spread of the seasonal index (max − min), a descriptive shape measure, not a volatility forecast.

Full data table — all 155 foods (source of record)

This table is the complete dataset. The interactive wall and charts above enhance it; the figures here are canonical. Columns are sortable when scripting is on.

US food imports by value, latest year. Sources are the 2025 origin mix; amplitude is the spread of the 12-month seasonal index; reliance is import share of apparent consumption where the record tracks it.
Ground beefbeef$5.34B▲ +10.9%Jan, Jul, Aug0.31Australia 49%0.305%
Avocadofruit$3.66B▼ -3%Jan, Mar, Apr0.27Mexico 88%0.7888%
Shrimp (P&D)shellfish$3.32B▲ +12.5%Aug, Sep, Oct0.25India 50%0.32
Tomatofruiting$2.85B▼ -21.6%Jan, Feb, Mar0.49Mexico 81%0.6881%
Grapes (table)fruit$2.59B▲ +11.1%Jan, Mar, Jun2.07Peru 47%0.3572%
Bananafruit$2.51B▲ +2.5%Mar, Apr, May0.15Guatemala 37%0.22100%
Salmon (skin-on fillet)seafood$2.46B▼ -8.4%Mar, Apr, May0.25Chile 63%0.45
Salmon filletseafood$2.46B▼ -8.4%Mar, Apr, May0.25Chile 63%0.45
Coffee (roasted)beverage$2.18B▲ +5.8%Oct, Nov, Dec0.30Switzerland 56%0.36
Blueberryfruit$2.08B▼ -4.5%Jan, Feb, Oct1.72Peru 56%0.3999%
Bell pepperfruiting$1.69B▼ -5.1%Jan, Feb, Mar0.77Mexico 73%0.6082%
Shrimp (head-on)shellfish$1.62B▲ +1.7%Jan, Nov, Dec0.18Ecuador 50%0.30
Shrimp (shell-on)shellfish$1.62B▲ +1.7%Jan, Nov, Dec0.18Ecuador 50%0.30
Whole crabshellfish$1.55B▲ +46.3%May, Jun, Jul2.18Canada 79%0.63
Lambmeat$1.49B▲ +12.1%Mar, Apr, Dec0.48Australia 72%0.6054%
Cheddar cheeseother$1.43B▼ -15.5%Oct, Nov, Dec0.38Italy 24%0.11
Cucumberfruiting$1.31B▼ -9.8%Jan, Mar, Apr0.47Mexico 54%0.5085%
Canned tunapantry$1.15B▲ +3.5%Oct, Nov, Dec0.37Thailand 48%0.26
Beef tenderloinbeef$1.09B▲ +8%Mar, Jun, Oct0.25Canada 53%0.361%
Striploinbeef$1.09B▲ +8%Mar, Jun, Oct0.25Canada 53%0.361%
Whole salmonseafood$1.08B▼ -9.1%Mar, May, Jun0.26Canada 47%0.28
Raspberryfruit$1.04B▼ -12.6%Mar, Apr, May1.31Mexico 100%1.0083%
Strawberryfruit$1.03B▼ -11.5%Jan, Feb, Mar2.50Mexico 98%0.9521%
Lemoncitrus$972M▼ -9%Jul, Aug, Sep0.77Mexico 76%0.6062%
Limecitrus$972M▼ -9%Jul, Aug, Sep0.77Mexico 76%0.60
Mangofruit$925M▲ +1.1%May, Jun, Jul0.61Mexico 58%0.37
Pineapplefruit$894M▲ +2.9%Apr, May, Jun0.36Costa Rica 83%0.7091%
Cashewnut$838M▼ -19.6%Jul, Aug, Sep0.45Vietnam 88%0.78
Honeypantry$657M▲ +6.7%May, Jun, Jul0.58India 26%0.15
Olivespantry$656M▲ +5.4%Jun, Jul, Aug0.34Greece 35%0.2484%
Whole lobstershellfish$642M▼ -1.3%Jun, Aug, Oct2.14Canada 99%0.98
Tilapiaseafood$638M▼ -7.5%Jan, Feb, Dec0.67China 50%0.29
Pork loinmeat$620M▼ -3.1%Mar, Apr, Jun0.21Mexico 23%0.152%
Black pepperspice$598M▲ +13.8%May, Jul, Oct0.36Vietnam 73%0.56
Ribeyebeef$590M▼ -3.2%Aug, Oct, Nov0.34Canada 51%0.341%
Asparagusstalks$525M▼ -18.8%Jan, Feb, Mar1.06Mexico 49%0.47100%
Paprika / chili powderspice$514M▼ -13.1%Oct, Nov, Dec0.20Mexico 24%0.17
Watermelonfruit$453M▲ +2.8%Mar, Apr, May2.96Mexico 77%0.6241%
Ketchup & tomato saucepantry$451M▼ -9.1%Oct, Nov, Dec0.43Italy 80%0.65
Codseafood$437M▼ -5.8%Jan, Feb, Dec0.48China 59%0.38
Tuna loinseafood$436M▼ -8.1%Jun, Jul, Aug0.30Indonesia 37%0.26
Plantainfruit$407M▲ +22.5%Aug, Sep, Oct0.19Guatemala 50%0.33
Butter (AA, bulk)other$404M▼ -42.7%Sep, Oct, Nov0.30Ireland 46%0.37
Pecorino (sheep's-milk cheese)dairy$403M▼ -6.9%Aug, Oct, Nov0.25Italy 44%0.28
Cantaloupefruit$365M▼ -5.5%Jan, Mar, Apr2.08Guatemala 58%0.4171%
Button mushroommushroom$352M▼ -7.3%Jan, Nov, Dec0.14Canada 94%0.8829%
Catfishseafood$350M▼ -1%Jan, Jun, Jul0.33Vietnam 95%0.91
Kiwifruit$347M▲ +25%May, Jun, Jul1.05New Zealand 56%0.3880%
Pecannut$341M▼ -31.6%Jan, Nov, Dec0.97Mexico 99%0.9853%
Onionallium$341M▼ -30.3%Mar, May, Nov0.36Mexico 64%0.4620%
Red onionallium$341M▼ -30.3%Mar, May, Nov0.36Mexico 64%0.4620%
Red potatotuber$320M▼ -5.4%Jan, Mar, Nov0.73Canada 100%1.007%
Russet potatotuber$320M▼ -5.4%Jan, Mar, Nov0.73Canada 100%1.007%
Tea (black)beverage$306M▼ -10.3%May, Sep, Oct0.27India 18%0.09
Broccolicruciferous$303M▼ -24.5%Jan, Mar, Dec0.84Mexico 91%0.8334%
Yeast (baking)pantry$293M▼ -16.5%May, Jun, Jul0.23Canada 48%0.33
Prosciutto & cured hammeat$291M▲ +3.9%Aug, Oct, Nov0.52Italy 76%0.61
Orangecitrus$281M▲ +7.7%Jul, Aug, Sep3.01Chile 40%0.2632%
Pork bellymeat$270M▲ +11.3%Mar, Aug, Oct0.21Canada 95%0.901%
Garlicallium$262M▼ -9.3%Jan, Feb, Dec0.29China 38%0.2553%
Ahi tuna (fresh)seafood$258M▼ -7.9%Mar, May, Jun0.23Mexico 32%0.16
Green beansfruiting$253M▲ +12.9%Jan, Mar, Dec1.10not tracked54%
Squidshellfish$244M▲ +5.5%Jan, Jul, Aug0.28Argentina 23%0.12
Sardinespantry$218M▲ +6.9%Jan, Nov, Dec0.25Poland 29%0.17
Cherry (sweet)fruit$209M▲ +85.5%Jan, Aug, Dec3.30Chile 71%0.5651%
Snapperseafood$206M▲ +4.7%Jul, Aug, Dec0.27Mexico 29%0.17
Coconutfruit$193M▲ +31.8%Jul, Aug, Oct0.47Philippines 50%0.30
Zucchinifruiting$190M▼ -16.7%Jan, Feb, Mar1.82Mexico 95%0.9148%
Whole halibutseafood$174M▲ +2.5%Jun, Jul, Aug1.11Canada 89%0.80
Carrotroot$164M▼ -16.9%Jan, Nov, Dec0.43Mexico 44%0.378%
Cinnamonspice$162M▲ +6.4%Oct, Nov, Dec0.22Indonesia 35%0.30
Romaine lettucegreens$159M▼ -4%Jan, Feb, Mar1.15Mexico 89%0.806%
Goatmeat$158M▲ +13.4%Apr, May, Dec0.47Australia 98%0.96
Parmesan (Italian grating cheese)dairy$156M▼ -46%Oct, Nov, Dec0.23Italy 92%0.85
Yogurtdairy$153M▲ +2.1%Apr, Jul, Dec0.13Canada 50%0.41
Cassava (yuca)root$146M▲ +31%Oct, Nov, Dec0.38Costa Rica 85%0.73
Papayafruit$145M– +0.2%Apr, May, Jun0.38Mexico 89%0.80100%
Haddockseafood$144M▲ +46.6%Jan, Nov, Dec0.55China 46%0.31
Tomatillofruiting$137M▲ +15.9%Jan, Nov, Dec0.28not tracked
Pearfruit$128M▲ +0.6%Mar, Apr, May2.00Argentina 54%0.3846%
Jalapeñofruiting$124M▼ -26.3%Jan, Apr, May0.70Mexico 98%0.95100%
Branzino / sea bassseafood$121M▲ +8.2%Mar, Oct, Dec0.16Turkey 43%0.31
Applefruit$120M▼ -5.6%May, Jun, Jul2.63Chile 43%0.338%
Datesfruit$120M▲ +25.9%Feb, Mar, Apr0.67Mexico 42%0.2359%
Ginger rootroot$119M▼ -17%Mar, Apr, Dec0.25Peru 41%0.3099%
Fresh mozzarella / fresh cheesedairy$117M▼ -18.5%Jun, Jul, Aug0.37Italy 26%0.14
Eggsother$116M▲ +1745.1%Apr, May, Aug0.58Brazil 36%0.27
Macadamianut$114M▲ +21%Aug, Sep, Nov0.76South Africa 37%0.25
Bacon (cured)meat$111M▲ +1.4%Aug, Sep, Dec0.22Canada 98%0.970%
Picklespantry$109M▲ +14.6%Mar, Apr, Sep0.54India 50%0.28
Cauliflowercruciferous$109M▲ +6%Aug, Sep, Oct0.78Mexico 72%0.5828%
Soy saucepantry$108M▼ -8.5%Apr, May, Dec0.28China 35%0.18
Cherry tomatofruiting$104M▼ -7.8%Jan, Feb, Apr1.39Mexico 75%0.5914%
Vanillaspice$96M▼ -25.9%Mar, Apr, May0.85Madagascar 70%0.52
Eggplantfruiting$95M▼ -20.3%Jan, Mar, Dec1.35Mexico 87%0.77
Habanero pepperfruiting$93M▼ -8.1%Mar, Apr, May0.43Mexico 94%0.88100%
Tomato pastepantry$92M▲ +13.6%Jun, Jul, Dec0.30Italy 43%0.27
Spinachgreens$88M▼ -8.6%Jan, Mar, Dec0.50Mexico 71%0.5922%
Brussels sproutscruciferous$86M▼ -15.8%Feb, Mar, Apr1.84Mexico 87%0.77100%
Iceberg lettucegreens$83M▼ -13.6%Mar, Oct, Nov0.23Mexico 74%0.615%
Cilantroherbs$81M▼ -17.2%Jan, Feb, Dec0.53Mexico 96%0.91
Celerystalks$78M▼ -10.9%Jan, Feb, Mar1.03Mexico 90%0.8116%
Yamroot$77M▼ -26%Sep, Oct, Nov0.32Jamaica 42%0.24
Cabbagecruciferous$76M▼ -5.7%Aug, Sep, Oct0.85Mexico 54%0.5017%
Canned tomatoespantry$73M▼ -11.7%Mar, Oct, Dec0.28Italy 59%0.40
Corn on the cobfruiting$67M▼ -25.3%Jan, Feb, Mar2.22Mexico 87%0.7614%
Cuminspice$66M▼ -17.2%Jul, Aug, Sep0.33India 80%0.65
Caviarpantry$63M▲ +26.1%Oct, Nov, Dec1.57China 55%0.33
Grouperseafood$62M▼ -12.4%Jan, Apr, Jul0.25Mexico 51%0.31
Processed cheese (American)dairy$60M▲ +3.8%Mar, Oct, Nov0.41France 22%0.12
Pork shouldermeat$60M▼ -29.6%May, Jun, Jul0.32Canada 76%0.600%
Green onionallium$59M▲ +3.4%Sep, Oct, Dec0.41Mexico 95%0.904%
Specialty mushrooms (shiitake, oyster)mushroom$57M▼ -16.5%Oct, Nov, Dec1.59Italy 25%0.186%
Chayotefruiting$54M▼ -8.5%Mar, Oct, Nov0.41Mexico 60%0.52
Whole troutseafood$52M▲ +5.4%Mar, May, Sep0.19Norway 80%0.65
Turmericspice$51M▼ -0.7%May, Jul, Oct0.36India 70%0.53
Sweet potatotuber$45M▼ -9.3%Feb, Jul, Oct0.66China 58%0.387%
Mahi-mahiseafood$43M▼ -21.9%Feb, Mar, Apr0.58Ecuador 71%0.52
Prepared mustardpantry$43M▼ -6.1%Mar, Jun, Oct0.20Canada 43%0.34
Cardamomspice$43M▲ +54%Mar, Apr, May0.65Guatemala 55%0.44
Yellow squashfruiting$42M▼ -40.4%Feb, Mar, Apr2.62Mexico 100%0.9917%
Anchoviespantry$41M▼ -16%Jan, Nov, Dec0.40Morocco 32%0.22
Poblano pepperfruiting$40M▼ -21.9%Jan, Feb, Mar0.94Mexico 100%1.00100%
Butternut squashfruiting$38M– -0.3%Jan, Nov, Dec1.85Mexico 95%0.9116%
Bok choygreens$36M▼ -9.4%Jan, Sep, Dec0.65Mexico 78%0.66
Okrafruiting$36M▼ -37.7%Mar, Jun, Jul0.65Honduras 60%0.45
Red leaf lettucegreens$34M▲ +26.9%Jan, Feb, Mar0.51Canada 53%0.504%
Green leaf lettucegreens$34M▲ +26.9%Jan, Feb, Mar0.51Canada 53%0.504%
Blue cheesedairy$33M▼ -7.3%Sep, Oct, Nov0.49France 27%0.21
Grapefruitcitrus$33M▼ -16%Jul, Aug, Sep1.69South Africa 47%0.3021%
Serrano pepperfruiting$31M▼ -34.6%Mar, Apr, May0.90Mexico 100%1.00100%
Daikon radishroot$28M▼ -29.7%Jan, Feb, Dec1.05Mexico 62%0.48
Snow peasfruiting$24M▼ -25.8%Jan, Mar, Dec1.27Guatemala 51%0.3841%
Leekallium$24M▼ -33.3%Jan, Feb, Mar0.83Mexico 67%0.51
Jicamaroot$24M▼ -17.1%Jan, Mar, Apr0.56Mexico 86%0.76
Scallopsshellfish$21M▼ -34%Jan, Oct, Dec0.87Japan 41%0.23
Clovesspice$21M▼ -24.8%Mar, Apr, May0.28Indonesia 46%0.27
Napa cabbagegreens$20M▼ -11.8%Aug, Sep, Oct2.17Mexico 51%0.505%
Sole (Dover/lemon)seafood$20M▼ -12.8%Mar, Apr, May0.79Netherlands 62%0.46
Beetroot$19M▼ -15.4%Feb, Mar, Apr0.92Canada 51%0.4675%
Nopales (cactus paddles)greens$18M▼ -12.1%Feb, Mar, Oct0.32Mexico 100%1.00
Saffronspice$17M▼ -2.3%Jul, Aug, Oct0.55Spain 80%0.66
Nutmegspice$16M▼ -10.1%May, Sep, Nov0.47Indonesia 65%0.46
Octopusshellfish$16M▼ -29.6%Oct, Nov, Dec0.33Spain 31%0.17
Coriander seedspice$12M▼ -11.9%Mar, Jul, Oct0.26India 46%0.31
Kalegreens$12M▼ -36.3%Jan, Feb, Mar1.23Mexico 96%0.92
Acorn squashfruiting$11M– -0.5%Jan, Feb, Nov2.26Mexico 98%0.955%
Rutabagaroot$11M▼ -4.8%Aug, Sep, Oct0.89Mexico 62%0.44
Almondnut$10M▼ -27.6%Apr, Jul, Dec0.83Spain 58%0.380%
Butter lettucegreens$7M▼ -21.3%Jan, Feb, Mar1.38Canada 92%0.861%
Walnutnut$6M▲ +42.9%Jan, Mar, Dec0.79Canada 37%0.252%
Pistachionut$3M▼ -58.1%Mar, Sep, Dec0.68Turkey 76%0.600%
Clamsshellfish$3M▼ -32.7%Jun, Jul, Aug0.62Canada 65%0.47
Artichokestalks$2M▼ -28.1%Jan, Feb, Mar2.95Mexico 96%0.933%
Collard greensgreens$177K▼ -43.9%Jan, Nov, Dec2.12Mexico 62%0.53