Fresno Co. agriculture sets record in ‘08

Written by Gabriel Dillard

Tuesday, 02 June 2009 10:52

At more than $5.6 billion, Fresno County set a new record for gross value of its agricultural products in 2008. Last year’s crop value exceeds the 2007 value of  $5.3 billion by 5.9 percent, the second time the county has exceeded the $5 billion mark, said Carol Hafner, agricultural commissioner, to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors today. Fresno Count remains the state’s top producing agricultural county, exceeding Tulare County’s 2008 farm value by $500 million, Hafner said. Hafner told the supervisors gross farm values do not reflect the production costs faced by local farmers. She said drought, recession, labor problems and regulatory pressures are combining to make 2009 a “dire” year for Fresno County agriculture. “Many have not, and will not, survive in 2009,” Hafner said. She said there were decreases in crops and commodities including vegetables, livestock and poultry in 2008, while acreage and production of field crops and fruit and nuts increased. Cotton production fell by 52 percent last year, Hafner said. For the first time in 32 years, cotton was not one of the top 10 crops grown in Fresno County last year, falling to the No. 15 position. Grapes remain the No. 1 crop in Fresno County. Grain corn production also fell by 75 percent last year, Hafner said.