Sonoma County agricultural crops production valued nearly $800 million last year—a nearly 2% decrease from the previous year, according to a report released last week by county officials.
The report, based on a survey of more than 1,000 Sonoma County producers, showed the total value was $796 million, which represents a 1.9% decrease in the 2021 value of $812 million.
The annual accounting of local agricultural commodity production and gross values is conducted annually by the Department of Agriculture, Weights & Measures, which presented its 2022 Sonoma County Crop Report to the county Board of Supervisors last week.
Among the primary reasons for the overall drop in value was a 29% year-over-year decrease in livestock and poultry product values—attributed in the report to a 46% decrease in organic and conventional milk production.
The report reflects gross production values and does not account for costs involved with production, processing and bringing the commodity to market, according to county officials.
“[The report] is intended for community use in economic development, tourism activities, financing and identifying historical trends in local agricultural production,” county officials said in an announcement about the report.
Chris Coursey, chair of the Board of Supervisors, said times are challenging for the local farming community.
“As in recent years, Sonoma County growers and ranchers are forced to adapt to rising fuel and labor costs, dwindling water supplies and higher feed costs due to drought,” said Coursey, who described the robust commerce in the local nursery industry as a “bright spot” in the report.
The county listed several highlights from the report:
- The average winegrape value per ton increased to $2,870 from $2,626 in 2021. As a result, total winegrape value was $547.7 million, a 1.25% increase compared to 2021. Overall winegrape tonnage decreased 7.3% to 190,864 tons, due to limited water availability and spring frosts.
- Apple prices per ton increased 49% over 2021, resulting in an 8.5% increase in the value of apples compared to the prior year. Overall apple tonnage decreased 8.2% due to freezing temperatures during bloom and continued drought stress.
- Livestock and poultry product values decreased 29% compared to 2021. This is attributed to a 46% decrease in organic and conventional milk production despite a 17.6% increase and 64.8% increase in organic and conventional milk value per unit, respectively.
- The value of wool production decreased 78% from 2021 due to a lack of global demand for wool and an increase in sheep predation.