In what marks a telling snapshot of San Diego County's agricultural landscape, the 2023 annual Crop Report figures capture the region's green thumb at work amidst challenges. Nursery & Cut Flower products are leading the economic charge, which commanded 71% of agricultural value. Fruit & Nuts followed, with avocados and citrus swinging in the tally. However, the County of San Diego report did indicate a drop of $120 million in overall value from the previous year, principally due to a decrease in the value of Bedding Plants, Color, Perennials, Cacti, & Succulents.
Despite the dips, certain crops flourished. "Apiary Products were valued at $4,749,866, a 47% increase from last year," according to the county's news report. This surge is credited to a substantial uptick—264%, to be precise—in Honey and Beeswax production, linked to increased rainfall. Meanwhile, Field Crops increased to $4,489,288, boasting a 14% year-over-year increase thanks to a substantial increase in Field, Other's acreage and value.
The portrait of the county's agricultural sector wouldn't be complete without acknowledging its sizeable 4,031 farms, with family operations making up 94% of this figure. Additionally, the county prides itself on ranking 6th in the U.S. for the number of farms and being the state frontrunner regarding smaller farm sizes. San Diego remains a key player in the Nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod space, leading California and securing the second spot nationally.
While local agriculture adapts to evolving conditions, San Diego's Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM) extends its reach to safeguard the region. Attempting to tackle the incursion of unwanted guests, last year, "AWM inspectors stopped 20 snail and slug infestations and 121 plant diseases," the San Diego County report states. The AWM Detector Dog Team Program was also on their heels, sniffing through parcels for pestilence, identifying 88 crop-damaging pests, and flagging 313 packages that violated state pest exclusion laws.
San Diego showed strength and unity during the 2024 floods, which caused about $90 million in damage to agriculture. The AWM joined emergency efforts, with 12 staff members contributing 674 hours as Disaster Service Workers. They helped 26 operators report damages, which amounted to $664,000 in losses for livestock, crops, and infrastructure.
