SLO County wine grapes set an all-time record as total crop value tops $1.1 billion
The value of San Luis Obispo County’s agricultural products reached a record high last year, surpassing $1.1 billion, thanks in part to wine grapes soaring to an all-time high as well, according to the 2023 annual Agricultural Statistics report.
Wine grapes were the highest valued agricultural product for 2023, reaching almost $324 million and replacing strawberries as the county’s top crop, the report said.
It’s the first time grapes have beaten berries since 2018. Strawberries had been on a steady climb for more than a decade before topping out at nearly $320 million in 2021.
But the crop has retreated in the last two years while wine grapes surged by $62 million in 2023, an amount that by itself was more than any other SLO County crop besides the top three. Cattle and calves were third with a value of $68.6 million in 2023.
Together, wine grapes and strawberries made up about 53% of the county’s total crop value in 2023, San Luis Obispo County Agricultural Commissioner Martin Settevendemie said in a presentation to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
“Despite significant storm damage early in the year, crops did well with strong yields across multiple crop sectors,” he said.
Meeting attendees took special notice of Brussels sprouts, which appeared in the top 10 crops list for the second year in a row in 2023.
“Where are the thousands of acres of Brussels sprouts?” Supervisor John Peschong asked, wondering aloud who is eating all the compact green veggies in this county.
“I’m eating them. I love Brussels sprouts,” Supervisor Jimmy Paulding said, sparking laughter in the audience.
Grower-Shipper Association of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties president Claire Wyman chimed in to recommend marinating Brussels sprouts in olive oil and Santa Maria barbecue seasoning before throwing them on the grill.
“Its a real treat,” she said.
Wine grapes, strawberries are SLO County’s top crops
The total value of the county’s agricultural products reached a record high of $1,114,238,000 in 2023, a 3.7% increase from 2022, Settevendemie said.
The value of the county’s agricultural products exceeded $1 billion three other times, in 2018, 2021 and 2022, he said.
Wine grapes’ increase in 2023 represented a dramatic 24% bump in value from 2022 and was primarily caused by an increase in grape production, Settevendemie said.
Cabernet sauvignon was by far the highest value varietal at $156 million. The red wine (other) category was second at $50 million. The best value white
Strawberries were unable to keep pace after a substantial drop in 2022 was followed by a 1% slip last year.
A dip in strawberry in prices was partly to blame for the decrease in value, Settevendemie said.
Overall, fruit and nut crops saw a 10.3% increase in value from 2022 to 2023, reaching $688.7 million last year, the report said.
Field crops, nursery products see increase in value
San Luis Obispo County saw a slim $383,000 increase in the value of field crops in 2023, for a total of about $20 million.
“With above average rainfall and ideal growing conditions, certain crops rebounded,” Settevendemie said. “Barley more than doubled in both total production and overall value.”
Meanwhile, nursery products experienced a 0.3% increase in value to $88.9 million, he said.
Though nursery operators experience challenges with labor shortages, international competition and increasing production costs, an increased demand for vegetable transplants and ornamental plants catalyzed the increase in value for nursery products, he said.
Record year for cattle prices despite smaller herd
In 2023, 42,315 head of cattle were sold in San Luis Obispo, which is 2.5% less than 2022. However, record-high cattle prices rescued the county from a decline in cattle value, Settevendemie said.
In 2023, cattle prices were 38.8% higher than in 2022, which increased the total value of the animal category by 50% to $72.2 million last year, he said.
Consistent rainfall during the winter and spring “improved forage and increased cattle weight,” which contributed to their increase in value, Settevendemie said.
Value of vegetable crops plummet
The value of vegetable crops plummeted by $50 million in 2023, Settevendemie said.
“Heavy winter rains led to flooding and caused growers to fallow fields or delay both planting and harvest times,” he said.
The decline in value was caused by a reduction in harvested acres along with some vegetable acreage being replaced with strawberries, he said.
Vegetable crops were valued at $243.8 million in 2023, he said.
The top vegetable crops were broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and celery.
What are SLO County’s top 10 crops?
Here’s a list of San Luis Obispo County’s top valued crops for 2023:
- Wine grapes, $323.9 million
- Strawberries, $274.0 million
- Cattle and calves, $68.6 million
- Broccoli, $36.1 million
- Avocados, $34.2 million
- Vegetable and ornamental transplants, $33.5 million
- Brussels sprouts, $24.6 million
- Cauliflower, $20.6 million
- Cut flowers, $19.0 million
- Celery, $16.1 million
This story was originally published September 24, 2024 at 5:38 PM.
