US (CA): Ornamental trees and shrubs again most valuable crop for Cali
The most valuable crop, for the fifth year in a row, was ornamental trees and shrubs, according to the report prepared by Ha Dang, the county’s agricultural commissioner.
Among other leading crops, measured in total sales across major categories, were fruit and nuts, up 23 percent to $415.6 million; vegetables and vine products, down 9 percent to $170.7 million; and livestock and poultry, up 10 percent to $84.7 million.
The fruit and nut category received a major boost from avocados, which shot up 25 percent in value to $198 million following a poor yield in 2012.
Other more specific crops covered in the report were bedding plants, valued at $203.7 million; tomatoes, $92.7 million; lemons, $80 million; eggs, $76.3 million, miscellaneous berries, $34.3 million; herbaceous perennials, $26.7 million; and cacti and succulents, $26.5 million.
More than 305,000 acres in San Diego County are devoted to agriculture, spread across more than 5,700 farms — the most of any county in the U.S., according to the report.
County agriculture officials said local products were exported to 48 countries, with the vast majority of shipments going south to Mexico.
Source: timesofsandiego.com