Butte crop report shows $56 million increase
OROVILLE » The gross value of Butte County’s agricultural production in 2019 increased bymore than $56 million from the previous year but not all segments of the industry faired equally as well, according to the Butte County Department of Agriculture’s 2019 Crop and Livestock report.
The report issued this week shows overall production was $688,369,916. This was an increase of 9 percent ormore than $56 million compared to 2018.
Walnuts ( English), rice, almonds, and prunes led the way for 2019 crop values. Walnuts were the No. 1 crop valued at just over $214million; rice came in as the No. 2 crop at $166 million; almonds were theNo. 3 crop at over $140 million followed by prunes at almost $25 million.
Despite the rankings, almond and prune crops yielded less gross value in 2019 then in 2018.
“There was less bearing acreage for prunes and almonds as well as a decrease value per ton so that’swhywe sawa $15million decrease in almonds and close to a $7million decrease for prunes,” said Louie Mendoza, agriculture commissioner.
In 2018, 92,250 acres of bearing rice fields yielded nearly 4.6 tons per acre and the price was $3.80 per ton. In 2019, 4,522more acres of rice were harvested and the price increased to $3.90 per ton.
“The rice industry saw a slight decrease in production per acre but, withmore acres planted, it led to an increase of $5 million from the previous year,” saidMendoza.
There was an increase in total production and price for walnuts leading to that crop’s $60 million gross revenue increase in 2019.
Nursery stock and timber values were down $2,318,650 and $7,586,232 respectively in 2019 from the previous year. However, apiary, field, fruit and nut, livestock, seed, vegetable and organic crop values all increased in 2019.
The crops realizing the biggest increases included field crops which increased in value by $ 1,041,652; fruit and nut crops which increased by $3,838,309; and, organic crops which increased by nearly $9.5 million.
The 2019 livestock outcomes were a mixed bag.
The number of cattle and calves increased by 500 but saw a minimal increase of $160,093 in total gross revenue due to a decrease in market value. The sheep industry showed a decrease both in number of head and gross value from 2019 to 2018.
The “miscellaneous” livestock category which includes hogs, poultry and goats showed a whopping increase of nearly $1.5 million over 2018. Mendoza explained the increase was due to a “hog facility” in the county.
“That inventory and its value, that’s the main reason for (this category) increase,” he said.
Butte County agricultural exports to other countries remained consistent in 2019. Export destinations range from Afghanistan to Vietnam, with 70 countries and nine U. S. states. The top three exported com
modities and pounds in millions are: almonds (in shell), 15.4 million pounds; almonds (shelled), 11.5 million pounds; walnuts (in shell), 9.1 million pounds; walnuts (shelled), 11million pounds; and, rice, 294 million pounds.
“Looking at these numbers it’s important to remember that Butte County processors do bring in commodities from other counties like Glenn and Colusa so not all the exports are grown in here,” said Mendoza. “Indications at this point are that the number of agricultural exports will continue to stay resilient as products remain in demand.”
Agriculture remains the No. 1 industry in the county accounting for nearly 1.7 million jobs, according to Mendoza.
“About one in five jobs in our area is attributed to agriculture,” he said.