Tulare County Crop Report
2012 Production Value Up 10 Percent
Tulare
County’s total gross production value for 2012 is $6.22 billion. The report,
released today, showed an increase of
$581 million, or 10 percent above the 2011 value of $5.6 billion.
Dairy
products continue to be the leading agricultural commodity in the County, with
a total gross value of $1.8 billion, a decrease of 12 percent.
“Milk
represents 29 percent of the total crop and livestock value for 2012,” said
Marilyn Kinoshita, Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner. “Total milk
production in Tulare County remained relatively stable,” she said.
Possibly, if milk prices were a little higher during the year, Tulare County would have beat Fresno County for the first time!
“Livestock
and Poultry’s gross value of $661 million represents an increase of 5.8 percent
above 2011, mostly due to an increase in value for turkeys, cattle and calves,”
noted Kinoshita.
Fruit
and nut commodities were valued at $2.8 billion representing an increase of 29
percent. “The majority of this gain was the result of an excellent year for our
grape category,” Kinoshita noted.
The
total value of all field crops was $776 million, an increase of 24 percent from
2011. “Local demand for dairy feed continues to keep high values for our field
crops. Nursery products were valued at $67 million, representing an increase of
2.5 percent over last year. “This minor increase is a reflection of the
continued uncertainties in both the housing and agricultural markets,”
Kinoshita explained.
Vegetable
crops were valued at $20 million in 2012, representing a less than one percent
increase.
“The
2012 report covers more than 120 different commodities, 43 of which have a
gross value in excess of $1 million. Although individual commodities may
experience difficulties from year to year, Tulare County continues to produce
high-quality crops that provide food and fiber to more than 84 countries
throughout the world,” said Kinoshita.
Kinoshita
expressed appreciation to her staff, particularly Lea Pereira, Jacqui Balderas,
and Dennis Haines for their contributions to the report.
Labels: California Ag Today, Dennis Haines, Jacqui Balderas, Lea Pereira, Marilyn Kinoshita, Production Value, Tulare County, Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner, Tulare County Crop Report