A new study by the University of California Cooperative Extension, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Institute, and UC Davis Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics details the costs and returns for commercial growers producing cilantro and parsley in Ventura County.
"These studies provide growers with a baseline to estimate their own costs, which can help if they need to apply for production loans, project labor costs, or market their crop," said Etaferahu Takele, UC Cooperative Extension farm management advisor and agricultural economist.
The studies are based on practices used for establishing, producing, and harvesting the crops, including land preparation, soil fertility, pest management, irrigation, and labor. Ventura County produces a wide range of vegetables and herbs, with cilantro acreage showing growth. Between 2002 and 2022, planted area rose from 1,257 acres (509 ha) to 4,065 acres (1,645 ha).
© University of California
The total cost to produce cilantro in 2025 is estimated at US$5,352 per acre (US$13,228/ha), based on a yield of 1,200 cartons per acre. With a price of US$6.60 per carton, profit before management costs is estimated at US$2,545 per acre (US$6,290/ha).
For parsley, the total production cost is estimated at US$10,795 per acre (US$26,670/ha), based on a yield of 2,200 cartons per acre. With a price of US$6.30 per carton, profit before management costs is estimated at US$3,445 per acre (US$8,510/ha).
The studies used an 800-acre (324-ha) model farm, the average farm size among interviewed growers. Double cropping is common in Ventura County, resulting in approximately 1,600 acres (647 ha) farmed annually. Planting and harvesting occur year-round due to multiple crop cycles.
The reports, "Cilantro Production Costs and Profitability Analysis" and "Parsley Production Costs and Profitability Analysis," are available through UC Cooperative Extension Ventura County. The information may also be used by agencies such as the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture when developing agricultural programs and policies.
The studies were co-authored by Oleg Daugovish, UC Cooperative Extension strawberry and vegetable crop advisor in Ventura County; Karen Jetter, research economist and associate director; Donald Stewart, staff research associate; and Fiona Ogunkoya, survey researcher, all with the UC ANR Policy Institute.
For more information:
Takele
University of California
Email: [email protected]
www.ucanr.edu