Local growers produced the most bountiful agricultural year on record in 2007, despite a year that started with freezing temperatures and ended with devastating wildfires.
The value of county crops was $1,536,429,974, an increase of more than five percent from 2006, according to the County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures.
“A rise in the value of nursery stock helped push the numbers up. Rising avocado and citrus values also had an impact,” said County Agricultural Commissioner Bob Atkins.
Indoor flowering and foliage plants continued to be the top crop, worth more than $322 million, an increase of four percent. Ornamental trees and shrubs were a close second, with a value of $321.8 million, up 12 percent from 2006.
San Diego County is home to more than 200 different agricultural commodities due to the wide variety of microclimates. It has the second highest number of farms of all counties in the US. The majority of them are family-owned and under ten acres.
In addition to information about the acreage, yield and value of local agricultural production, the crop report updates the Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures' diverse programs.
| Top Ten Crops in County |
| Crop | Value |
| Indoor Flowering and Foliage Plants | $322.3M |
| Ornamental Trees and Shrubs | $321.8M |
| Bedding Plants | $237M |
| Avocadoes | $127.1 |
| Tomatoes | $88.1M |
| Cut Flowers and Foliage | $60.2M |
| Eggs | $56.3M |
| Poinsettia | $38.8M |
| Strawberries | $31.3M |
| Oranges, Valencia | $26.9M |
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