Leaf lettuce, fresh market tomatoes and poultry crops increased sharply in 2007, according to the latest crop report released this week by the San Benito County Agriculture Commissioner's Office.
Overall, San Benito County crops yielded a gross value of $293,090 for the year, an 8 percent hike over 2006 and the largest jump since 2004, according to the report.
The following is a breakdown of some of the report's data:
- Nursery stock was once again the top-grossing category of crops, with a value of more than $34 million.
- Grapes and wine jumped a spot to third on the Top 10 list, with $24.3 million in value, up from $19.57 million the prior year.
- Bell peppers dropped by about $6 million in value to $22.5 million.
- Market tomatoes increased by value by 61 percent to $14.3 million and made the Top 10 at No. 9.
- Miscellaneous vegetable and row crops were at $29.54 million, up from $25.8 million in 2006.
- The commodity summary included in the crop report shows there were declines in cattle and hay production because of lighter than normal rainfall. Overall cattle value dropped from $21.07 million in 2006 to $17.36 million in 2007.
- The commodity summary also notes a $5.2 million increase for fruit and nut production.
See Tuesday's Free Lance for an in-depth story on the year in crops. For the complete crop report, go to www.san-benito.ca.us/departments/ag.
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