Santa Barbara County releases 2022 Agricultural Crop Report
SANTA BARBRA COUNTY, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner's Office released its 2022 Agricultural Crop Production report on Wednesday.
The annual Crop Report summarizes the acreage, production, and gross value of agriculture county-wide.
Agriculture remains Santa Barbara County's largest producing industry with a gross production value of $1,930,445,000, an increase of 5.1% over 2021.
The above total is the gross value of agricultural commodities grown in the County, but does not include the costs associated with production including labor, irrigation, and distribution.
The top crop in Santa Barbara County remains strawberries with a gross value of $810,923,000 an increase from last year's gross value of $10,347,000.
The County Agricultural Commissioner's Office note that large increase in strawberry gross value is due to increases in acreage dedicated to the crop as well as improved yield.
Cauliflower moved to the second most valuable crop at a gross value of $96,657,000 followed by wine grapes at a gross value of $96,334,000.
The Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner's Office detail that demand has increased for vegetables since the pandemic and with the rise in popularity of cauliflower rice and other cauliflower products.
Additional growth was noted in the livestock, apiary, field and seed crops with increases of 8.7%, 9.1%, and 8.5% respectively detail the County Agricultural Commissioner's Office crop report.
“This year’s Crop Production Report highlights the work and many years of service Cathy Fisher provided as Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures Director. Her commitment to customer service and collaboration is one to be commended,” said Agricultural Commissioner Jose Chang.
