Riverside County’s crop values decline slightly in 2021
Riverside County's agricultural sector contracted last year, declining 1% in value, though some commodities remained robust, according to a report furnished to the Board of Supervisors today.
In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board received and filed Agricultural Commissioner Ruben Arroyo's "2021 Agricultural Production Report," the highlight of which was the $12.32 million slide in aggregate crop values.
The agricultural base countywide was valued at $1.40 billion last year, compared to $1.42 billion in 2020, which boasted the greatest commodity values of the last five years.
"Using historical economic values, the total agricultural contribution to Riverside County's economy is approximately $3.9 billion," Arroyo said.
He pointed out tree and vine crops, vegetable crops and field and seed stocks declined year-to-year. Â
The best performer in percentage terms was nursery stock, which includes Christmas trees, ornamental shrubs, cut flowers and plants. The countywide value of nursery stock increased 8%, and total production amounted to $267.54 million, according to the report.
Despite their decline in value, vegetables continued to remain the dominant crop, netting $324.89 million in 2021, as opposed to $334.43 million in 2020. Broccoli, lettuce, artichokes and corn held the highest values. Â Â
Though Riverside County, particularly the western half, has its roots in citrus production, the total value for citrus in 2021 was only $127.47 million, ranking behind trees and vines, milk and livestock and poultry.
The 2020 value of citrus crops was $126.56 million, according to the report. Â
Total land set aside for citrus cultivation last year was roughly 19,400 acres. Among the leading citrus products were lemons, mandarins and ruby grapefruit.
The smallest crop countywide was aqua-culture, valued at $4.87 million in 2021, compared to $4.59 million the year before. Â Â
Catfish and Tilapia were the main farm-raised fish in that category within Riverside County.
