According to County News Center, San Diego County's agriculture sector saw a continued uptrend, with the 2022 Crop Report showing a year-over-year increase in production value to $1.78 billion. This year-over-year increase marks the seventh occurrence in the last decade. Highlighted by the report are the region's post-COVID-19 recovery and the resilience of San Diego's agricultural industry in the face of adversity such as inclement weather, wildfires, and rising water costs.
San Diego County leads California in Nursery & Cut Flower products and organic producers. Remarkably, the 2022 growing season saw "Fruit & Nut" crops value jump by 29%, from an estimated $237 million in 2021 to $306 million. The value of Avocados – the region's signature crop – surged by an incredible 48% from the previous year, which can be largely attributed to improved weather conditions, according to County News Center.
San Diego’s new Crop Report covering the County’s 2022 growing season shows production was higher than last year at $1.78 billion in value, making it the seventh year in the past 10 years in which the region has seen an increase. https://t.co/MFMh4CsRyM
— SanDiegoCounty (@SanDiegoCounty) October 23, 2023
The top crop, "Bedding Plants, Color & Perennials, Cacti & Succulents" accounts for 25% of the total agricultural production value in the county for 2022, however. In the annual Top 10 crops list, Ornamental Trees & Shrubs claimed the No. 2 spot, despite a decrease in value.
San Diego County is able to maintain its leadership in the industry despite certain crop values – namely Nursery & Cut Flower Products, Apiary Products, and Field Crops – dipping. The total area allotted to commercial agriculture saw a slight reduction in 2022, however, the County's commitment to agricultural prosperity remains unwavering.
San Diego expressed this commitment by allocating approximately $5 million from the County's Department of Agriculture, Weights, and Measures (AWM) for pesticide usage regulation and enforcement. The County conducts annually around 1,500 inspections to ensure compliance with pesticide regulations. This has led to a notable 90% compliance rate in 2022, per the County News Center.
Other significant data from the report include a 724% surge in the value of "Honey & Beeswax" from 2021 to 2022, courtesy of drought recovery and increased forage available to the apiary industry. "Livestock & Poultry" products registered the second-highest boost in value. Although Citrus acreage suffered a reduction, it saw its overall value increase 20% year over year due to favorable weather conditions and increased prices.
Another first, the Crop Report this year includes an interactive version. This allows the public to access and understand the data in a dynamic and engaging manner. Moreover, it features a Google Translate integration, enabling users to read the report in multiple languages and expanding its accessibility to more diverse demographics.
