The Strawberry Once Again Is King in Ventura County

Ventura County strawberries again overtook lemons to become the region’s premier crop in 2001 as local growers realized a third consecutive year of sales exceeding $1 billion.

The total value of fruits, nuts, vegetables, plants, livestock and other agricultural production reached $1.05 billion last year, up nearly $6.6 million from production totals the previous year, according to county agricultural statistics released Tuesday.

“I think this was a so-so year overall. But for a so-so year, we did mighty well,” said Agricultural Commissioner Earl McPhail. “If not for strawberries and nursery stock [gains], the crop report would have probably been down significantly.”

The overall figures underscore Ventura County’s status as one of the leading agricultural regions in California. McPhail estimates that when statewide crop figures are released, the county will rank in the top 10. In 2000, the county held 10th place behind such counties as Fresno, Tulare, Monterey and Kern.

Local growers of strawberries, potted plants and ornamental trees and shrubs saw substantial increases in their harvests on average, while those who farm lemons, grapefruit and vegetables--including carrots, cucumbers, celery, lettuce and spinach--mostly saw a decline in revenues, production, or both.

“For the second time in some 50 years, lemons were not the top crop,” McPhail said. “But we think they will rebound.”

After dominating county crop statistics for decades, the gross value of local lemons sold last year fell to $173.67 million, down about 7.2% from $187.16 million in 2000.

The decline came despite increases in the amount of land harvested--up 361 acres to 25,864 last year--and the number of lemons picked. Last year’s lemon production hit 490,969 tons, up 15,544 tons from 2000.

McPhail explained that more lemons available in supermarkets pushed down the average price by more than 10% to $353.74 per ton. By contrast, strawberry prices leaped nearly $151 per ton, up 15.7% to $1,111.02.

An additional 186 acres were dedicated to the juicy red berries and more fruit was harvested per acre last year, allowing local growers to sell 207,646 tons of strawberries for a total value of $230.69 million, compared with 194,330 tons sold in 2000, valued at $186.60 million.

Richard Pidduck, who grows lemons and avocados in Santa Paula and Oxnard, said a combination of factors hurt lemon sales in 2001--poor weather, a decline in global demand for lemon juice and stiff competition from overseas during the summer sales season.

But ideal weather in 2002, along with a continued suspension of Argentine citrus imports coming into the United States, are turning things around, Pidduck maintains.

“This year is shaping up very well,” he said. “The overall crop is slightly smaller, but the quality is better.” Although an oversupply of lemons depressed prices last year, increased strawberry production has met with an unsated consumer demand, according to Dominique Hansen, a spokeswoman for the California Strawberry Commission.

Ventura County is already the No. 2 region in California for strawberry production behind Watsonville and Salinas in Santa Cruz County.

The amount of acreage dedicated to berries continues to rise because of the fruit’s profitability, Hansen said.