While Sacramento will always be a government town, this industry remains significant
“Agriculture continues to be a cornerstone of our local economy and plays a major role in preserving the county’s rural character,” Ag Commissioner Flores said.
Yesterday, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors received a report on one of the county's significant yet overlooked industries: agriculture.
At the Nov. 18 meeting, Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner Chris Flores announced that the gross production value of agricultural commodities in Sacramento County exceeded $536 million for the 2024 crop and livestock year.
Wine grapes again dominated the region’s agricultural economy with a value of more than $167.9 million, accounting for over 31 percent of the county’s total agricultural output. Market milk captured the No. 2 spot at roughly $51.2 million, edging out pears, which came in third with a value of more than $46 million. The top 10 commodities also included poultry (≈ $32.5 million), aquaculture (≈ $29.1 million), nursery stock (≈ $28.5 million), cattle and calves (≈ $22.4 million), rice (≈ $15.6 million), almonds (≈ $14.8 million) and cherries (≈ $13.1 million).
“Agriculture continues to be a cornerstone of our local economy and plays a major role in preserving the county’s rural character,” Flores said. “Our diverse agricultural landscape includes small farms, ranches, row crops, orchards and vineyards that produce everything from rice and tomatoes to pears and grapes, as well as strong dairy, livestock, and aquaculture operations.”
According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, in 2024 California’s farms and ranches recorded approximately $61.2 billion in cash receipts, marking the first time the state’s value has topped $60 billion. With Sacramento County’s reported output of $536 million, the county contributes roughly 0.88 percent of the state’s total agricultural receipts.
California continues to rank first among U.S. states in agricultural production, and the scale of its output reinforces its role as a vital supplier of fruits, vegetables, nuts and dairy to national and global markets.
Supervisor meeting materials noted that the 2024 report also covers the county’s Pest Detection & Exclusion programs, Phytosanitary program, Pesticide Use Enforcement, and Weights & Measures program — and includes a straightforward 2026 calendar.
See the slide summary from yesterday's report in the video.
