Report: Florida's Crops Top $4 Billion

By Growing Produce Staff|February 22, 2011

Last week, the USDA/National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its 2010 Crop Values report.
In 2010, the total value of principal crops in Florida was $4,505,726,000. The term “principal crops” encompasses fruits (citrus and non-citrus), vegetables and melons, grains, hay, cotton, sugarcane, berry crops, potatoes, and nuts. The 2010 value is about $190 million more than the value in 2009, but $45 million below the value in 2008. Florida’s total crop value is made up of $1.9 billion for fruit and nut crops, $1.6 billion for commercial vegetables, and $1.0 billion for field and miscellaneous crops.

Florida ranked 15th in the U.S. in total value of crops. The top 5 States in 2010 were California (with a value of $22.7 billion), Iowa ($18.0 billion), Illinois ($17.0 billion), Minnesota ($12.5 billion), and Nebraska ($12.0 billion).

Florida ranked 3rd in the U.S. for fruit and nut crops with a total value of $1.9 billion. California’s total value for fruit and nut crops was $12.8 billion and Washington’s total value was $2.2 billion. The two next highest States were Oregon ($455 million) and New York ($328 million).

For commercial vegetables, Florida ranked 2nd with a total value of $1.6 billion. California led the nation with a total value of $6.3 billion. Following Florida in value of commercial vegetables were Arizona ($901 million), Georgia ($484 million), and Washington ($409 million).
Florida’s highest value crop was oranges, with a value of $1.2 billion, followed by tomatoes ($631 million), sugarcane ($551 million), strawberries ($362 million), bell peppers ($296 million), and sweet corn ($189 million).

•ºClick here to see the comprehensive report from USDA.