FRESNO, CA - The Fresno County of Agriculture has set a new record for its crops value in 2014, breaking through the $7 billion ceiling.
"This report is a testament to the resiliency and determination of the Fresno County agricultural industry," Les Wright, Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures, told abc30. "For the first time ever, the gross value of Fresno County agriculture exceeds seven billion dollars."
According to the reports, the new amount of just over $7.03 billion beat the area’s previous 2012 record of $6.44 billion by almost seven percent. abc30 reported that the bureau credits the area’s success to its diversity, growing over 400 crops commercially. Top crops included almonds at $1.303 billion, grapes at $905.099 million, and tomatoes $524.349 million.
While this is a feat only made more impressive due to the area experiencing a four-year-long record drought with the rest of California, the Fresno County Farm Bureau (FCFB) celebrates the achievement cautiously.
"The drought challenges [the crops] are in the midst of are historic,” Ryan Jacobsen, CEO of the FCFB told abc30, saying that those crops and people that are withering due to water restrictions in the region mustn’t be forgotten.
The FCFB also clarified that it is seeing record high expenses as well as crop values, and that the numbers do not include net income or any losses experienced by the producers.
"The decisions our society and elected officials make today, and in the coming months and year, will determine the destiny of our industry," Jacobsen added.
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