Almonds are top commodity in 2018

Madera County farmers produced about 4 percent more in 2018 than they did the year before, according to County Agricultural Commissioner Stephanie McNeill, who gave the annual crop report at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.

The total valuation of all farm products was $2.05 billion, according to McNeill.

The top crop, as usual, was almonds, at $730.66 million in gross value, including nut meats, hulls and shells, up about 1 percent from the year before.

The No. 2 crop for 2018 was grapes, with a value of $307.65 million.

The No. 3 crop for 2018 was pistachios, which brought in $296.6 million.

Milk was the No. 4 crop for 2018, at $291 million in gross sales — down about 7 percent from 2017. This reflected the drop in prices that plagued dairy producers most of 2018.

Pollination services, at a value of $56.16 million, was the fifth most valuable commodity for Madera County in 2018, said McNeill.