Fresno County has regained its position as the top agricultural county in the United States, with farm production exceeding US$9 billion in 2024 for the first time. Kern County dropped to US$7.96 billion, while Tulare County rose to US$8.3 billion.
Agricultural Commissioner Melissa Cregan said stronger almond prices helped boost returns. "Fresno County's ag strength is based upon the diversity of crops produced," she said. "In the 2024 report, there were approximately 200 commodities, 82 of which have a gross value in excess of US$1 million."
Almonds reclaimed the top spot, earning US$1.45 billion, up from US$950 million in 2023. Grapes fell to just over US$1 billion, and pistachios held steady at US$860 million. Tomatoes, peaches, garlic, and oranges completed the top ten. Fruits and nuts rose 19% while nursery production declined.
Supervisor Buddy Mendes said water policy will determine future output. "As SGMA comes in and is more and more enforced, there's going to be a lot of places in Fresno County that don't have surface water," he said.
In Tulare County, grapes remained around US$965 million, while navel oranges held above US$600 million. Valencia orange returns dropped to US$90 million.
Kern County's value fell 8% to just under US$8 billion, with declines in grape and pistachio yields.
Cregan's office reported that agriculture contributes US$21.7 billion to Fresno's economy and employs 63,000 people. Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobsen said 2024's good water year supported broad crop diversity. Supervisor Brian Pacheco warned of market volatility, citing trade impacts on dairy and beef. "It's highly volatile, it's up and down and not even from year-to-year, it's day-to-day with this current political environment that we are in," he said.
Source: Gwire
