-July 19,2019-
The San Luis Obispo County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures announces the release of the 2018 production statistics for the local agricultural industry. The overall value of agricultural production hit a milestone record of $1,035,499,000 in 2018. This represents an increase of 12 percent over the value reported in 2017
The top ten commodities by value in 2018 were
Ag Commissioner Martin Settevendemie says “Despite an extended summer heat wave, wine grape producers enjoyed a good growing season with an 8% increase in production and a modest overall price increase of 3%. The total wine grape value hit a record high of $276 million.” Ten years before in 2008, the value was $124 million.
Cabernet Sauvignon remains the top wine grape variety in 2018 at $129.6 million on 18,354 acres. In 2008 we grew just 11,000 acres with a value of $27 million – a five hold increase.
In 2018 fresh and processed strawberry production skyrocketed due to increased acreage and the planting of higher yielding varieties. Prices plummeted early in the season due to an oversupply of strawberries following a statewide freeze that prevented growing regions from the typical phasing in of product. Despite this price drop, the overall strawberry value was up 18% to more than $268 million on 4165 acres.
Tonnage of strawberries in 2018 was 202 thousand tons.In 2008 SLO County grew 1500 acres valued at $65 million yielding 45,000 tons, again five fold increase.
Vegetable acreage in 2018 has rebounded to come back in line with historical levels. The rebound was attributed to increased rain over the last couple of years, a more stable labor market and favorable growing conditions for vegetable crops.
The animal category increased by 1% compared to 2017, valued at just over $48.5 million. The number of cattle and calves sold during 2018 increased by 4% to 44,900. Cattle prices dropped 5% averaging $131 per CWT. Since 2016, the cattle industry appears to have stabilized relative to the prolonged drought experienced in recent years.
SLO’s cattle herd has been cut in half since 2008 from 91,000 head in 2008 to 45,000 head in 2018.
Cannabis transition
The nursery industry is in a state of transition with indoor cannabis production beginning to replace nursery stock. Local greenhouse facilities are being leased or purchased for cannabis production, resulting in decreased indoor decorative and ornamental plant production during 2018. Ironically, the cut flower market stabilized because of less competition from neighboring counties where some cut flower production areas have been converted to cannabis. Despite the conversion of some local growing area to cannabis, the nursery stock industry remained relatively stable with the overall value declining just 2% to $81.2 million. In 2008 the nursery crop in SLO County was valued at $101 million.
Avocado production has jumped to 19,000 tons in 2018 from 5300 tons in 2008. Back then the crop was valued at $11 million and in 2018 it reached $46 million.
Overall the fruit and nut category has grown in value from $229 million in 2008 to $657 million in 2018.
“Local agricultural producers amplified their economic contributions to the local and statewide economies in 2018 with an increased overall value of agricultural commodities of $1,035,499,000, a milestone in San Luis Obispo County”, according to Martin Settevendemie, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer.
Statistics for the local agricultural industry featured in the Department’s Annual Crop Reports for 1928 through 2017 can be viewed in the Crop Report Library.