October 8,2022-
Kings County’s crops fetched $2.34 billion in 2021, a 7.5% increase. Ag Commissioner Jimmy Hook presented the report to the Board of Supervisors this past week noting that the Fruit & Nut category grew by $83.5 million, up 12.9% based on more acres and higher prices for nuts.Pistachio acres came into production growing to 40,316 from just under 33,000 acres the year before.
Milk continued to be the top commodity with production steady and a bump in price to $19.10 per hundredweight
(this year, it is up to the mid $20s!). Pistachios were number 2 followed by almonds and then cotton. A look back 50 years shows cotton was the top crop ahead of milk.
Pima cotton was the big winner in 2021 based on price per bale but less production. Pima crop acres in 2021 was just 3,7561 – a decline of more than half. Alcala acres were also down but the price per bale was higher. Farmers continue to face several years of drought conditions.