-October 8,2022-
The value of all ag products reached $8.089 billion in 2021, a record for Tulare County, the Ag Commissioner reported this past week. That is more than 13% higher than 2020, an increase of almost one billion dollars.
As usual, milk led the way with $1.9 billion in gross receipts, up about 1 percent from the previous year. The increase is mainly due to the rise in the per hundredweight price – up from $18.60 in 2020 to $19.10. Nut valuation was up in 2021 as well from $3.8 billion in 2020 to $4.6 billion, a 20% increase, says Tom Tucker, Ag Commissioner.Walnuts fetched a better price while almonds were flat and pistachio prices were down. But pistachio production per-acre climbed.
Both poultry and livestock value was up. Poultry production in the county was higher in 2021 as was the price.Cattle prices were higher.
Citrus shines
Even though navel orange production was down in 2021 the value was up on price per pound bringing the total to $973 million compared to $844 million in 2020. Other citrus crops did well too including lemons fetching $347 million compared to $269 million in 2020. Again, the price per pound was significantly higher even though tonnage was down. Tangerine acreage and price were up as well .Grapefruit too was higher.
If you add the value in 2021 of citrus produced in the county it is higher than milk!
Grapes wear higher as well bringing in $683 million compared to $569 million in 2020 even though acreage is down.
Alfalfa – key feed for the dairy industry – saw its value increase largely on price as acreage fell but the value jumped from $60 million in 2020 to $83 million in 2021.
As for honey, production was up but the value was down on a big drop in price.Nursery products were up.
Exports
Tucker notes that Tulare County exports to over 90 countries around the world.Korea was the largest export destination accounting for 44% of orange crop exports (4.5 million cartons) and 11% of all grapes. China imported 1.4 million cartons of Tulare oranges and Japan took in 2 million cartons of oranges. Japan took 18% of our almonds as did Korea followed by India.
Whether our total of $8.1 billion in gross receipts will be enough to be the top ag producing county remains to be seen. Fresno County and Kern County haven’t reported for 2021 yet. Both were in the high $7 billion range last year.
caption: Tulare County produced more honey in 2021 but prices were down per pound