2024 Monterey County Crop and Livestock Report Released

How did Monterey County's leading economic sector perform last year?

The 2024 Crop and Livestock Report was released on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, by County of

Monterey Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo.

Overall gross production value was nearly $5 billion – a more than 14% increase from the

previous year. Of note for this year: for the first time, a crop – strawberries - topped the billion-

dollar valuation mark.

The top four crops for 2024 are:

1. Strawberries (maintaining the top spot) with a gross production value of $1,039,220,000,

a 15% increase from 2023.

2. Leaf lettuce, including Romaine and other leaf lettuce varieties, at $933,907,000 with an

increase of 19% .

3. Head Lettuce at $596,602,000 with an increase of 21%.

4. Broccoli at $578,870,000 with a 23% increase.

The 2024 season was characterized by more normal weather patterns that led to a more typical

elongated growing season as compared to 2023. Increases in planted acreage and value, market

demand for the high value crops produced in our region, and recovery from the 2023 storm

events led to significant increases in gross production value over last year.

This year’s Crop and Livestock Report theme “Smart Agriculture: Growing the Seeds of

Change,” highlights the innovative partnerships between farmers and technology companies in

Monterey County working to find real-world solutions to everyday challenges. As artificial

intelligence (AI) continues to be introduced to the world, the agricultural industry is already

utilizing this new technology to tackle issues such as skilled labor shortages, environmental

sustainability, and worker safety.

The Crop Report was released at a press briefing at 9:00 am on Tuesday, July 1 . Joining Commissioner

Hidalgo at the briefing was a panel of agricultural leaders providing their insights and

answering questions. You can watch the full briefing online at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE2mb6AhcVE

The 2024 Crop Report is available in English and Spanish at

https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-a-h/agricultural-

commissioner/forms-publications/crop-reports-economic-contributions

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