LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County's agricultural production and value continues to grow, according to the latest county crop report.
The report, covering 2013, showed that the gross value of Lake County agricultural production for 2013 was $96,173,111, an increase of 13 percent over 2012.
Agricultural Commissioner Steve Hajik said in the report that the increase in Lake County's agricultural value can be attributed to the winegrape industry.
Gross winegrape value for 2013 reached $61.3 million, an increase of 28 percent over 2012, Hajik reported.
Total harvested tonnage in 2013 was up by 25 percent, with a total of 8,718 winegrape acres, an increase of 326 acres, according to the report.
Hajik's report showed that white varietals totaled 2,990 acres, while red varietals dominated with 5,728 acres.
In 2013, the tons per acre increased by 25 percent and the average price per ton increased slightly, Hajik said.
The top-produced varietal in 2013 was Cabernet Sauvignon, with 14,120 tons. It also was the varietal that earned the most – $1,725 per ton – for a total return of $24.3 million. Sauvignon Blanc came in at No. 2 for most tons, 13,065, priced at $1,057 per ton, for a total return of $13.8 million.
Other top winegrape varietals listed in the 2013 report were Zinfandel, 3,040 tons at $1,487 per ton; Petite Syrah, 2,345 tons, $1,606 per ton; Chardonnay, 2,337 tons, $1,195 per ton; Merlot, 2,083 tons, $1,260 per ton; and Syrah, 1,186 tons, $1,403 per ton.
Lake County's famed pears remained a top crop in 2013, according to the report.
Gross value of pears after packing and processing was $21,788,051, a decrease of 10 percent from 2012. Total production increased by 3,189 tons, but the price per ton decreased by 8 percent, the report showed.
Total pear acreage for 2013 appeared to remain fairly steady, based on the data. There were 2,020 planted pear acres, down by 37 acres from the previous year.
Walnuts, a crop that has grown in popularity with consumers, decreased by 3 percent in gross value in 2013, totaling $6,327,090.
The report showed that 2013's walnut production decreased by 15 percent, with acreage down to 3,533 acres from the 3,671 acres reported in 2012. However, the price per ton last year increased 13 percent.
Organic farming products totaled $6.1 million last year, with walnuts being the largest organic crop, followed by winegrapes and pears, according to agricultural statistics.
Crops showing increases included livestock production 14 percent; field crops, 18 percent; miscellaneous fruit, 20 percent; vegetables, 19 percent; and timber, 2,300 percent, according to Hajik.
Segments of agricultural production that decreased in 2013 included nursery production, 35 percent; and livestock and poultry products, 9 percent, Hajik said.
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