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Monterey County's 2024 crop report nears $5 billion: strawberries top $1 billion for first time; cannabis excluded from main total
Summary
County Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo presented the 2024 Crop and Livestock Report showing $4.99 billion in gross agricultural production; strawberry production exceeded $1 billion for the first time. Officials said cannabis numbers were reported separately and would push the total above $5 billion.
The Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner's 2024 Crop and Livestock Report, presented to the Board of Supervisors on July 1, measured gross agricultural production at $4.99 billion for 2024, a 15% increase over 2023; the figure excludes cannabis data reported separately, which county staff said would push the total above $5 billion.
Key numbers and trends: The 2024 report shows a near-record total driven by recoveries from 2023's winter storm damage and generally favorable weather. Strawberries were the county's single most valuable commodity and, for the first time, surpassed $1 billion in gross value, representing about 21% of the county's total. Lettuce (broken into commodity types in the report) along with head lettuce, leaf lettuce, broccoli and other vegetables remained in the top positions.
Other notes: Wine-grape values fell about 22% to $152 million amid oversupply and lower demand; international exports rose from $268 million to $375 million, with Mexico, Taiwan and Canada as top markets. Cannabis value rose by about 21% to $440 million, a partial recovery from earlier downturns; county staff said that if cannabis were included, the county total would have exceeded the $5 billion mark.
Technology and workforce theme: The report's theme, "Smart Agriculture, Growing the Seeds of Change," highlights adoption of robotics, drones, AI, precision spraying and real-time positioning. The county and its agricultural partners emphasized training programs at community colleges and UC extension to prepare the workforce for ag-technology careers. Staff thanked more than 62,000 agricultural workers and noted the county's outsized share of California production in commodities such as lettuce and broccoli.
Board reaction and questions: Supervisors thanked staff and asked follow-up questions about whether cannabis was included in the $4.99 billion number (it was not in the main total) and about long-term trends for wine grapes and labor. Commissioners said the county leads the state in the production of several commodity types and is the fourth-largest agricultural county nationally by gross value.
Ending: Commissioners said they would continue to work with growers and community colleges to expand training opportunities and technology partnerships so that Monterey County retains leadership in high-value specialty crops.
