Fresno Tops Crop Value Charts as Kings County Sees 13.4% Gain

Fresno County has reclaimed its position as the leading agricultural area in California, with Kings County reporting a robust increase in crop value of 13.4% in 2024. According to Jimmy Hook, the agricultural commissioner, the total valuation of Kings County’s agricultural production reached $2.44 billion this year. This surge is attributed significantly to the high valuation of milk, which remains the county’s top commodity.

The value of milk production in Tulare County, which leads the nation in milk output, also contributed to the overall agricultural boost. Average milk prices soared to $21.60 per hundredweight in 2024, playing a vital role in increasing the county’s total agricultural value. Milk alone accounted for more than a quarter of Tulare’s total agricultural production value.

Recovery and Diverse Contributions

While milk was a primary driver, other sectors also saw significant growth. Livestock and poultry valuations surged by 27%, propelled by rising beef prices. Processing tomatoes further contributed to this upward trend. Despite these gains, not all crops performed well. The production and value of alfalfa hay saw a decline over the past year.

In contrast, Pima cotton experienced a remarkable recovery, with acreage increasing from just 27,000 acres in 2023 to 71,000 acres in 2024. This resurgence resulted in a valuation of $134 million, nearly double that of the previous year. However, the grape industry faced challenges, with the value of grapes falling from $58 million in 2023 to $48 million in 2024.

Challenges and Outlook for 2025

The agricultural landscape in Kings County has not been without its difficulties. The impact of avian influenza has severely affected poultry inventories, which plummeted from 2.6 million in December 2023 to just 820,000 by December 2024, a reduction of nearly two-thirds. Despite these challenges, the remaining top commodities included milk, followed by pistachios, cattle and calves, processed tomatoes, and cotton.

The trend in milk prices indicates a potential downturn for 2025. Class IV milk prices, which account for over 60% of pooled milk sales, have already dropped significantly from over $21 per hundredweight in January 2024 to $13.90 in futures markets for December. Projections suggest that the average price for 2025 may fall in the range of $17 to $18 per hundredweight, which could negatively impact crop valuations in major dairy-producing counties like Tulare and Kings.

On a brighter note for dairy operators, feed prices have decreased in recent years. Between July 2023 and July 2025, corn prices fell by 31%, soybeans by 30%, and alfalfa by 15%.

Kern County, which led California in crop value in 2023, saw an 8% drop in its agricultural output from 2023 to 2024. This decline was largely due to a significant downturn in wine grape production, which dropped from $132 million in 2023 to just $27 million this year.

As Kings County navigates these fluctuations, the agricultural community remains vigilant, adapting to market changes and working toward sustainable growth in the years ahead.