August 22,2018-
Fresno County reported an increase in production of farm products in 2017 with sales of just over $7 billion, a 13.5% increase over 2016.
Almonds led the way valued at $1.2 billion, similar to 2016 but pistachio sales increased by over 100% to $517 million. Grapes were the number two crop again valued at $951 million while poultry was number three at $605 million.
Fresno’s vegetable crop declined in 2017 led by a drop in processing tomato acreage.Blueberry values jumped four-fold in 2017 as price doubled per ton. Cherries were up but lemon sales were down. Tangerine crop values more than doubled as both price and acreage climbed in 2017.
As for Fresno’s famous raisin crop farmers had a reason to dance as the crop was valued at $232 million compared $146 million in 2016 based on higher per acre prices. Growers pulled about 15,000 acres of wine grapes between 2016 and 2017.
The report featured a quote from the National Cattlemen….