McClatchy Washington Bureau
Posted on Wed, Sep. 14, 2011
California crop values rise in double digits
Robert Rodriguez | Fresno Bee
last updated: September 14, 2011 12:41:58 PM
Higher prices for nuts, cotton and grapes helped make 2010 a banner year for Valley agriculture.
Overall crop values in Kings, Tulare, and Fresno counties posted double-digit percentage gains over 2009 -- a rebound from several dismal years of low crop prices and a shortage of irrigation water.
And on Tuesday, Madera County joined the party when the Board of Supervisors was told that the county's 2010 crop values rose 39% over 2009 to $1.3 billion.
"We had a good year," said Jay Seslowe, Madera County assistant agricultural commissioner. "And all of the indicators seem to show that ag has become a bright spot in this economy."
The central San Joaquin Valley benefitted last year from ample rain, reservoirs packed with snowmelt and robust consumer demand for several major crops grown in the region.