US (CA): Madera County crop value hits record $1.6 billion
For the second straight year, almonds took the title of top crop in Madera County at $414.4 million in gross revenue, according to the just released 2011 Madera crop report. It is an increase of nearly $128 million from 2010.
Jay Seslowe, Madera assistant agricultural commissioner, credits favorable growing conditions and an excellent crop set for the jump in almond revenue. Growing export markets also played a part.
Cha Vang, Madera County senior agricultural and standards inspector, said he expects another record value year in 2012 because thousands of acres of new almond groves have come into production. Many of the almond trees are planted in fields that were previously used for field crops.
Grapes moved up to the third leading crop at $300.7 million in 2011. It was an increase of 29.19 percent.
Pistachios, an alternate-bearing crop, fell to the fourth spot in 2011 as lower production resulted in a gross value of $113.1 million.
Vegetable crops generated $34.06 million in 2011, up substantially from $23.2 million in 2010 and $17.3 million in 2009. An increase in fresh tomato acreage and jump in prices for miscellaneous vegetables like artichokes, carrots, cabbage, eggplant, herbs, melons, onions, peppers and potatoes, accounted for the growth in vegetable crop revenue.
Raisin grapes had a good year with gross revenue of $29.1 million, compared to $72.1 million in 2010 and $67.3 million in 2009.
Madera’s orange industry saw big gains in 2011 with oranges taking in $13.45 million, a big jump form $7.3 million in revenue the previous year. Orange prices were substantially higher at $215 a ton last year, compared to $168 a ton in 2010.
Miscellaneous fruits and nuts, including apples, apricots, berries, kiwis, nectarines, pears, pecans, persimmons, plums, pomegranates, tangelos and tangerines, saw big gains in acreage and gross revenue in 2011. Acreage increased from 4,800 acres in 2010 to 9,100 acres in 2011, while revenue reached $39.9 million last year, compared to $33.8 million in 2010 and $23.5 million in 2009.
Source: thebusinessjournal.com
