Wine grapes top crop in 2013
April 2, 2014
Wine grapes were the number one San Luis Obispo County agricultural commodity in 2013 bringing in more than $220 million, according to San Luis Obispo County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures 2013 annual production statistics report.
Despite the drought, wine grape production increased 10 percent. Total crop values were $960,710,000, an 11 percent increase from 2012.
Strawberries came in a close second with revenue of more than $210 million. Mild weather and low rainfall helped berry production increase by 13 percent.
As a result of the drought, ranchers thinned their herds leading to a 39 percent increase in livestock going to market in 2013, for more than $100 million in revenue. Nevertheless, it will take several years for ranchers to rebuild their herds.
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