Discover California’s Top 7 Most Valuable Crops

Introduction

Located on the western coast of the United States, California is one of the largest states in the entire country as well as the most populous. Across the 163,696 square miles California encompasses, almost 40,000,000 residents can be found. The state is known for its bustling culture, incredible opportunities, and fantastic natural beauty. The argument can be made that California dramatically influences the culture and lifestyle of residents of the entire country. Although it may not be well known, California is also the country’s leading state for agricultural production. The dry, predictable climate in many areas throughout the state provides ideal growth and farming conditions. In 2022 alone, the Californian agricultural industry brought in an impressive $55.9 billion to the state economy. Keep reading to discover California’s top seven most valuable crops, and what makes the state such an amazing agricultural hotspot.

1. – Grapes

California is by far the nation’s leading producer of grapes. 82 percent of the land grapes are grown on in the entire United States is located in California. Grapes were first brought to the United States in the 18th century by Spanish settlers. As the Spanish built missions across present-day California, they found the climate to be incredibly suitable for growing grapes. Because California typically has mild winters and sunny summers, grapes can thrive year-round, allowing them to continuously grow and be sold to hungry customers. In 2022, an amazing $5.54 billion worth of grapes grown in California were sold. That is over 100,000,000 boxes of grapes!

In addition to traditional grapes, California is also known for its world-renowned vineyards. California also produces 85 percent of the wine for the entire country. This industry is another reason why grapes are the most valuable crop in California.

2. – Almonds

While California is the country’s leader in grapes, it produces all of the almonds for the United States! In addition to this, California is responsible for 80 percent of the almonds in the entire world. All of California’s almonds are grown in the state’s Central Valley, which is famous for its Mediterranean Climate. While California is not located in the Mediterranean region, it is one of five places in the world with this specific climate. The dry summers and mild winters in the Central Valley create the perfect environment for almonds to grow.

In addition to the climate, the minerals in California’s soil make the area a great host for almond trees. Although almonds are not native to California, the state is the best place in the world to grow them. In 2022 alone, $3.52 billion worth of California almonds were sold, making them one of the most valuable crops in the state.

3. – Lettuce

While lettuce may not seem like a particularly valuable crop, it contributes greatly to California’s economy. $3.15 billion worth of lettuce grown in California was sold in 2022. The majority of lettuce grown in California comes from Monterey County, which has the perfect maritime climate that the leafy vegetable requires to grow. The cool weather protects the crop from heat damage, allowing it to grow quickly throughout most of the year.

Just like many of the other crops on this list, California is the country’s leading supplier of lettuce. Over 70 percent of all lettuce in the United States is grown in California. This includes many different types of the crop including romaine, iceberg, and butterhead lettuce. Because lettuce is such a common vegetable used in many dishes across different cultures, it creates a massive revenue stream for the state, making it one of the most valuable crops in California.

4. – Strawberries

Strawberries are grown all along the coast of California. In total, over 34,000 acres of strawberry farms are currently in operation just in the Golden State! Similar to almonds, strawberries thrive in California’s Mediterranean climate. The mild weather in the state allows California to supply around 88 percent of the strawberries in the entire country. In total, almost 1.8 billion pounds of strawberries are grown in California each year! For reference, if all of the strawberries grown in California each year were laid side by side, they would stretch around the world almost 15 times. In 2022 alone, $2.68 billion worth of California-grown strawberries were sold. These delicious berries also prove to be one of the state’s most valuable crops, solidifying California as the agricultural giant of the United States.

5. – Pistachios

One of the more uncommon crops on this list is pistachios. While these green nuts might not be a household staple, they bring a staggering $1.86 billion to the California economy annually. Grown by several massive agricultural companies, 98 percent of the pistachios in the United States come directly from California. Pistachios were first grown in California in 1881 in the Sonoma area. Since then, the nuts have grown into an incredibly profitable cash crop for farmers in the state. Originally from Persia, pistachios grow extremely well in the dry climate and fertile soil that California provides. Their fairly steep price tag has also enabled them to become one of the most valuable crops in all of California and the entire United States.

6. – Tomatoes

Another iconic crop often grown in California is the tomato. Tomatoes are incredibly versatile and can be used in countless dishes and cuisines, making them one of the most valuable crops in the state. California supplies almost 95 percent of all tomatoes consumed in the United States. On a global scale, the state is responsible for an impressive 35 percent of the iconic red fruit. In 2022, $1.46 billion worth of tomatoes grown in California were sold. Because tomatoes require an extensive growing period with lots of sunlight, California has become one of the most sustainable areas for farming the crop on Earth. Almost 230,000 acres are dedicated to growing tomatoes in California alone. That is equivalent to 360 square miles!

7. – Carrots

The final crop on this list is carrots. California alone is responsible for almost 63 percent of the total production of these orange vegetables in the entire United States. In total, an impressive 66,580 acres of land are devoted to growing carrots in the state. Carrots are grown in California due to the state’s mild winters. Without harsh cold temperatures, the vegetables can continue to grow and bring in profits for farmers year-round. In 2022, $1.11 billion worth of California-grown carrots were sold. These sweet vegetables can be both eaten raw or used in a variety of desserts and other dishes, making them a widespread option for residents all across the United States.