India, Japan, and Korea were the top three destinations for walnuts and almonds from San Joaquin County in 2024, according to the annual crop report released by Agricultural Commissioner Kamal Bagri. Exports accounted for a large share of the county's fruit and vegetable sales.
The gross value of agricultural production in San Joaquin County for 2024 was reported at US$3.14 billion, a 2.29 per cent decrease compared to the 2023 total of US$3.22 billion. San Joaquin remains California's seventh-largest farm county by output.
The county's leading fresh produce commodities in 2024 were almonds (US$492.3 million), grapes (US$319.3 million), walnuts (US$240.1 million), cherries (US$240 million), tomatoes (US$120.7 million), and blueberries (US$77.6 million).
Ninety-eight countries imported farm products from San Joaquin County in 2024. Walnuts led exports, with 73,940 tons shipped abroad, about 70 per cent of the county's 111,000-ton harvest. Almonds followed, with 62,678 tons exported from a 119,000-ton crop. Rice exports accounted for 80 per cent of the 15,516 tons produced, while cherries saw one-third of the 14,870-ton harvest exported. Corn grain exports reached 1,847 tons out of 101,000 tons produced.
San Joaquin County produces several fruit and vegetable crops at levels higher than any other county in California, including 51.4 per cent of the state's cherries, 36.7 per cent of watermelons, 25.2 per cent of blueberries, 22.3 per cent of walnuts, and more than 50 per cent of pumpkins.
California's total farm production was valued at US$61.2 billion in 2024. The USDA's Economic Research Service ranked California first among U.S. states in agricultural cash receipts, followed by Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, and Kansas.
Paul Canepa, Chair of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors, said: "San Joaquin County's agricultural heritage is a cornerstone of who we are — not just economically, but culturally and historically. As we celebrate the County's 175th anniversary, this year's Crop Report is a reminder of the dedication, resilience, and innovation of our local farmers."
Bagri added: "In honor of San Joaquin County's 175th anniversary, the theme of this year's report is 'Unique by Nature, ' which highlights what makes San Joaquin County naturally special. Over the course of 175 years, our farmers have developed their own cultivation and management practices for crops through generations of local experience."
Source: Ripon Bulletin