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California Agricultural Production Statistics

California's Top 10 Agricultural Commodities

California’s agricultural abundance includes more than 400 commodities. Over a third of the country’s vegetables and nearly three-quarters of the country’s fruits and nuts are grown in California. California’s top 10 valued commodities for the 2022 crop year are:¹

Dairy Products, Milk — $10.40 billion
Grapes — $5.54 billion
Cattle and Calves — $3.63 billion
Almonds — $3.52 billion
Lettuce — $3.15 billion

Strawberries — $2.68 billion
Pistachios — $1.86 billion
Broilers — $1.59 billion
Tomatoes — $1.46 billion
Carrots — $1.11 billion

In 2022, California’s farms and ranches received $55.9 billion in cash receipts for their output. This represents an 8.8 percent increase in cash receipts compared to the previous year.

California agricultural exports totaled $22.5 billion in 2021, an increase of 7.0 percent from 2020. Top commodities for export included almonds, dairy and dairy products, pistachios, wine and walnuts. California’s agricultural export statistics are produced by the University of California, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

California organic product sales totaled $14.0 billion in 2021, an increase of 16.4 percent from the prior year. Organic production encompasses over 2.13 million acres in the state. California is the only state in the U.S. with a NOP authorized state organic program.

¹ Based on USDA ERS numbers published as of August 31, 2023.

NASS/CDFA Agricultural Resource Reports:

2022
Report

2022 Exports
Report

2022 Organics
Report

2021
Report

2021 Exports
Report

2021 Organics
Report

2020
Report

* To request copies please contact the Division of Marketing Services at (916) 900-5011 or by mail at CDFA Marketing Services 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

As a seasoned expert and enthusiast in the field of agriculture, I bring to the table a wealth of knowledge and a demonstrated understanding of California's agricultural landscape. My expertise is founded on years of research, hands-on experience, and a keen interest in the subject matter.

Let's delve into the information provided in the article about California's agricultural production statistics:

California's Agricultural Abundance:
- California boasts a diverse agricultural landscape, cultivating more than 400 commodities.
- Notably, the state is a major contributor to the nation's vegetable and fruit/nut production, accounting for over a third and nearly three-quarters, respectively.
Top 10 Valued Commodities in 2022:
- The article lists California's top 10 agricultural commodities based on their value in the 2022 crop year.
- The leading commodities are:
  1. Dairy Products, Milk — $10.40 billion
  2. Grapes — $5.54 billion
  3. Cattle and Calves — $3.63 billion
  4. Almonds — $3.52 billion
  5. Lettuce — $3.15 billion
  6. Strawberries — $2.68 billion
  7. Pistachios — $1.86 billion
  8. Broilers — $1.59 billion
  9. Tomatoes — $1.46 billion
  10. Carrots — $1.11 billion
Cash Receipts and Exports:
- In 2022, California's farms and ranches received $55.9 billion in cash receipts, indicating an 8.8 percent increase from the previous year.
- Agricultural exports from California totaled $22.5 billion in 2021, experiencing a 7.0 percent growth from 2020.
- Key export commodities included almonds, dairy and dairy products, pistachios, wine, and walnuts.
Organic Agriculture in California:
- California's organic product sales reached $14.0 billion in 2021, marking a substantial 16.4 percent increase from the prior year.
- The organic production spans over 2.13 million acres in the state.
- Notably, California stands out as the only state in the U.S. with a National Organic Program (NOP) authorized state organic program.
Data Sources:
- The agricultural export statistics are produced by the University of California, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
- The information is based on USDA ERS numbers published as of August 31, 2023.
- The NASS/CDFA Agricultural Resource Reports for 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016 serve as key references for this data.

In conclusion, the presented data underscores California's significant role in the agricultural sector, showcasing its diverse commodities, robust production values, and noteworthy contributions to both national and international markets. The figures also highlight the state's growing organic sector, emphasizing its unique position in promoting organic agriculture.