Oregon's Nursery industry is a key economic engine

Portland, OR

According to a recently released report by the Institute of Metropolitan Studies at Portland State University, Oregon's nursery and greenhouse industry is thriving. Oregon produces about 11 percent of all U.S. nursery crops, according to the report, and is the nation's leader in production of "woody stem" products such as shade and flowering trees, deciduous shrubs, broadleaf evergreens and conifers. Sales by Oregon producers have grown at a 9 percent annual rate during the past decade, nearly twice the 5 percent growth of the industry nationwide.

The report focuses specifically on the nursery and greenhouse industry in the counties of metropolitan Portland plus Marion County. Surprisingly, this geographic area, even though highly urbanized, comprises 85 percent of Oregon's nursery production land and 87 percent of its wholesale sales, which totaled $532 million in 1998. For additional information contact the Oregon Association of Nurserymen at 800-342-6401.