California is known for its entertainment industry, its high technology Silicon Valley, and its aerospace industry. However, it is also the leading state in agricultural production in the U.S.

California posted total record sales of agricultural commodities of $36.6 billion in 2007, an increase of 15 percent over the previous year's total of $31.8 billion, according to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service and Economic Research Service. The value of California production is greater than the combined production of the second - and third - highest producing states, Texas and Iowa.

California agriculture is very diverse. The state produces more than 400 different agricultural commodities. It is the number one producer of 83 different commodities, including milk, grapes, lettuce, and artichokes. California passed Wisconsin in milk production a number of years ago and is expected to pass Wisconsin in cheese production within the next two years.

In fact, a portion of the state's 15 percent total gain can be attributed to a surge in the dairy sector. Dairy producers received $7.33 billion for their milk production during 2007 compared with $4.49 billion during 2006. A combination of stronger prices and higher production resulted in eight of nine California agricultural products registering an increase in value from the previous year.



The above graph shows seven California products which exceeded $1 billion in receipts for 2007.
The USDA recorded an increase in sales of the following products:
• Strawberries: from $1.2 billion in 2006 to $1.3 billion in 2007
• Milk: from $4.5 billion in 2006 to $7.3 billion in 2007
• Grapes: from $3 billion in 2006 to $3.1 in 2007
• Nursery: from $2.9 billion in 2006 to $3.1 billion in 2007
• Cattle: from $1.7 billion in 2006 to $1.8 billion in 2007
• Tomatoes: from $1.16 billion in 2006 to $1.24 billion in 2007
• Lettuce: from $2.1 billion in 2006 to $2.2 billion in 2007
Total sales for all commodities in 2007 was of $36.6 billion in 2007 reporting an increase from 2006 of 15 percent.