Santa Clara Valley Crops Gained Value Last Year

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — The value of Santa Clara County's agricultural output rose 5.6 percent last year, rising to $359 million, according to a newly released crop report.

The county's annual analysis found nursery crops — like vegetable seedlings, fruit trees, bedding plants, roses, shrubs and succulents — remained farmers' top crop, gaining 5 percent in value and accounting for nearly $115 million of the total output. Mushrooms were the second-highest value crop, rising 9 percent in value and accounting for $87 million, as Santa Clara County remained one of the nation's leading regions for mushroom growers.

Fresh tomatoes saw the biggest leap, surging 70 percent in value to $16.9 million, while processed tomatoes produced in Santa Clara County more than doubled in value to $6 million.

"The agriculture industry is part of the fabric of Santa Clara County, improving our quality of life and making our community more sustainable," said Sylvia Arenas, the District 1 Supervisor who represents most of the county's farmland. "Growing food here in the South Bay benefits our economy and environment, improves our health and well-being, and makes us more resilient in the face of climate change."

According to the county, crops harvested in the Santa Clara Valley not only help nourish the Bay Area but also provide key ingredients for exports like soups and salsas that are shipped internationally.

Gilroy's B&T Farms produces nearly 80 million pounds of processed tomatoes that are used in Campbell's soups, and its romaine lettuce can be found atop McDonald's burgers. The farm also produces cherries that are shipped across the globe. Morgan Hill's George Chiala Farms grows up to 60 million pounds of peppers each year.

Nearly 200 Asian farmers in Santa Clara County specialize in crops like bok choy, daikon radish and yam leaf that together generate an estimated $11.5 million.

"Food grown in Santa Clara County provides nourishment and enjoyment to local residents and people around the globe," said Joe Deviney, the county's agricultural commission. "The farmers and ranchers of the South Bay sustain our community, bolster the regional economy, and help support the broader food system."

>> Find more information, including profiles on local growers, via the 2022 Crop Report.