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San Benito County’s agricultural gross sales fell $1.5 million compared to the previous year, according to the 2023 crop report. The report, released Aug. 27, says agriculture accounted for $360.9 million in sales.
“The biggest decrease was found in vegetable and row crops and the biggest increase was in cattle production,” the report states. Annual crop reports are required by the state and do not reflect costs borne by farmers and ranchers.
Vegetables and row crops sales decreased by $9.4 million compared to 2022, according to the report. Of those commodities, the biggest decrease was in tomatoes, where sales dropped by $14.7 million. Making up most of that loss was lettuce and romaine, where sales increased by $14.2 million.
“In 2023, the state of California saw record-breaking rainfall, which caused farmers and ranchers throughout San Benito County to overcome challenges they faced early in the year,” Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Ken Griffin’s statement reads.
He notes the rain led to many acres of flooded croplands, resulting in loss of plantings, even after the water had receded.
At the same time, heavy rainfall was a positive for ranchers, who in previous years had been dealing with droughts. Thanks in part to the rainfall, the county’s livestock industry saw a $2.9 million increase in gross sales.
“The cattle industry as a whole saw healthier, higher weight gain, and prosperous cattle all around,” Griffin said.
In addition, gross sales of fruits and nuts increased by $1 million and sales of field crops including hay, seed crops and hemp increased by $2.3 million.
The county’s agricultural gross sales first topped $300 million in 2013, and they have steadily increased. In the last 10 years, gross sales have improved by $30.5 million.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture Crop Report Manual notes that crop reports are sometimes the only source of crop sales information because many specialty crops are not included in the national and state data collection systems.
“County crop reports in California are especially valuable since counties cover large areas, vary in climate and crop production capabilities, and produce as many as 400 commodities,” the manual states. “Nine of the nation’s top 10 producing counties are in California.”
BenitoLink contacted the San Benito Farm Bureau for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
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