California Department of Food and Agriculture. (04/2010). 

California’s top 20 crop and livestock commodities accounted for more than $29.6 billion in value for 2008 (the latest year available).  Eleven commodities exceeded $1.00 billion in value for 2008.  Despite higher production costs for many growers, twelve of the 20 commodities registered an increase in value from the previous year.  The same was not true for California’s leading commodity, Milk and Cream, which decreased by $412 million in value, due to weak demand early in the year and diminished market price.  Final grower returns could change the sales value for hay, berries and other commodities, resulting in an updated dollar amount in next year’s report.

Leading Counties:  California is home to the most productive agricultural counties in the nation. According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture’s ranking of market value of agricultural products sold, nine of the Nation’s top 10 producing counties are in California.

 California’s Top 10 Agricultural Counties
1.  Fresno  5,669,527 ,000          Grapes, Almonds, Poultry, Milk, Tomatoes

2  Tulare   5,017,955,000          Milk, Oranges, Cattle and Calves, Grapes, Alfalfa Hay & Silage

3.  Kern  4,032,830,000          Milk, Grapes, Citrus, Almonds and By-Products, Carrots

4.  Monterey 3,829,123,000          Leaf and Head Lettuce, Strawberries, Nursery, Broccoli, Grapes

5.  Merced  2,972,698,000          Milk, Chickens, Almonds, Cattle and Calves, Potatoes

6.  Stanislaus 2,463,787,000          Milk, Almonds, Chickens, Cattle and Calves, Silage

7.  San Joaquin 2,129,812,000           Milk, Grapes, Walnuts, Cherries, Almond Meats

8.  Kings 1,760,168,000          Milk, Cotton, Cattle and Calves, Alfalfa, Tomatoes

9.   Imperial 1,684,522,000          Cattle, Alfalfa, Wheat, Head and Leaf Lettuce, Broccoli

10.  Ventura 1,611,091,000          Strawberries, Nursery Stock, Lemons, Celery, Raspberries