Agriculture is Santa Barbara’s largest producing industry with a gross production value of $1,930,445,000 in 2022, according to a report by the Santa Barbara County’s Agricultural Commissioner’s Office released Wednesday.
The Santa Barbara County Agricultural Crop Production Report summarizes acreage, production and gross value of Santa Barbara County agriculture, which increased by $5.1% from 2021.
Strawberry acreage and yield made strawberries remain the top county crop valued at $810,923,000, increasing by $10,347,000 from 2021.
Cauliflower became the second most valuable crop at $96,334,000 and was the top vegetable crop for 2022.
The demand for the product has risen since the pandemic and has come out of rising popularity in cauliflower-based products such as riced cauliflower. The weather was ideal for the growing season and growers reported good prices and crop volume with favorable size and color.
Wine grapes decreased in value by 8.4%.
The Nursery category, at fourth most valuable, decreased by 20% to $95,318,000 due to labor shortages, foreign competition and alternative greenhouse uses.
Livestock, apiary, field and seeds crops saw increases of 8.7%, 9.1% and 8.5%, respectively.
“This year’s Crop Production Report highlights the work and many years of service Cathy Fisher provided as Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures Director. Her commitment to customer service and collaboration is one to be commended,” Agricultural Commissioner Jose Chang said in a press release.
The county’s cannabis industry produced a total crop value of just over $260 million, which is not included in the county’s total production value.
Livestock had a total value of $40.96 million, with cattle comprising the vast majority of value at $29.37 million.
Canada is Santa Barbara County’s top export country based on the number of phytosanitary certificates issued.
The top 10 agricultural commodities in 2022 are as follows:
- Strawberries — $810 million
- Cauliflower — $96.65 million
- Wine grapes — $96.33 million
- Nursery products — $95.31 million
- Lettuce, head — $94.64 million
- Broccoli — $93.37 million
- Lettuce, leaf — $85.79 million
- Celery — $67.41 million
- Avocado — $59.65 million
- Blackberries — $46.78 million
The county’s agriculture industry has seen a nearly 27% increase in value since 2018. The county produced $1.52 billion that year.
San Luis Obispo County's agriculture industry produced just over $1 billion in 2021, according to the county’s 2021 report. The 2022 report has not yet been released.
California is the nation’s top agriculture state, producing roughly $51 billion in crops in 2021, according to data tracked by the state. Dairy products led the way at $7.57 billion. Strawberries were the fifth-highest-grossing crop at just over $3 billion.
The gross production value of the agriculture market in the U.S. in 2023 is projected to be $298 billion, according to Statista.
The 2022 report, as well as other reports since 1916, can be found online at countyofsb.org.
