Tommy Harwood Reveals Latest Agricultural Production Statistics for California

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Farming expert Tommy Harwood outlines the most recent agricultural production statistics and top commodities for California agriculture.

Producing more than a third of all vegetables grown in the United States, the state of California’s agricultural industry is today worth close to $50 billion annually. A farming expert and entrepreneur from Humboldt County, California, Tommy Harwood provides a professional look at the state’s most recent agricultural production statistics and top commodities, according to figures recently released by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

“California’s farming industry now boasts over 400 commodities, producing more than one-third of the nation’s total vegetables and approximately two-thirds of our nuts and fruits each year,” reveals Tommy Harwood, a farming expert and entrepreneur, speaking from his office in Humboldt County, California.

The latest figures from the California Department of Food and Agriculture reveal that California’s farms and ranches are now in receipt of close to $50 billion annually for their output. “Representing a small increase over the previous 12 months, the most recent figures from the California Department of Food and Agriculture show how farms and ranches in California are now receiving in the region of $50 billion for their output in cash receipts yearly,” explains Tommy Harwood.

This, he says, makes California the country’s leading state for cash farm receipts. “At close to $50 billion annually, it’s an amount,” adds Harwood, “which accounts for more than 13 percent of the total agricultural value of the entire United States.”

Of the $50 billion total announced by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, by commodity, over $6.3 billion comes from dairy products, more than $6.2 billion from grapes, around $5.5 billion from almonds, and approximately $3.2 billion from cattle and calves. “Pistachios, strawberries, and lettuce, meanwhile, represent around $2.6 billion, $2.3 billion, and $1.8 billion each, respectively,” adds farming expert Tommy Harwood.

The latest California Department of Food and Agriculture agricultural production statistics refer to the 2018 crop year, according to Tommy Harwood, despite only being released recently. “The latest agricultural production statistics from the California Department of Food and Agriculture take into account the 12 months from January 2018 to December of the same year,” explains the expert, “however, the full report was only made available fairly recently, late in 2019.”

This, Tommy Harwood says, is the norm for the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s agricultural production statistics, which often take up to one year to compile in full. “Accordingly, the complete report for the 2019 California crop year,” he suggests, “including agricultural exports, will likely be released toward the end of 2020.”

“In the interim, however,” adds Tommy Harwood, wrapping up, “interested parties may query the United States Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service or refer to their National Agricultural Statistics Service for the most recent numbers.”

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