SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The 2016 Santa Cruz County Crop Report was released Tuesday and all signs point to rising values for the local agricultural industry.
The report estimates planted acreage, gross and yield values of various crops throughout Santa Cruz County. In total, gross production value for the county in 2016 was $637,332,000. This is an increase over last year, which saw value of about $625,438,000.
Strawberries remain Santa Cruz County’s number one crop. On just more than 3,000 acres, the fruit has an estimated value of $229,107,000. The report revealed that despite a slight decline in value per ton, yields improved from 2015.
“This is a testament to all the dedicated investors and our farmers,” said Senior Vice President of the California Strawberry Commission Chris Christian. “Everyone worked very hard to make the season a successful one.”
Following strawberries, raspberry crops had another successful year, earning $158,330,000. Nursery stock, blackberries, cut flowers and various vegetable crops also flourished.
In his introduction letter to the report, Santa Cruz County’s Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo explained how there are many factors that go into how much a certain region produces — weather (primarily rainfall), the state of the labor force and the trade marketplace are just a few that affect each season.
That has been especially obvious this current season, with one of the area’s wettest winters on record following on the heels of an intense drought. Many in the industry, including Christian, expect things to continue to improve this year.
Apple sales and production in particular thrived comparatively in 2016 due to the return of rain last fall. Both fresh and processed apples doubled in production value this year. So did wine grapes, which saw an increase of more than $2,191 over last year.
Hidalgo advised that the numbers presented don’t account for everything in the industry. Factors such as labor, irrigation, pest management, transportation and regulatory costs are not included in the report.
“Also, the figures do not reflect the total contribution of agriculture to the economy,” he wrote. “Farm employment and other farm-related services add significant value.”
The crop report is released yearly. To view the 2016 report and for information on agriculture in Santa Cruz County, visit agdept.com.
