Food security is national security, making California the backbone of our country.
Provided by:
Almonds Apricots
100%
88%
Artichokes Avocados Blueberries
100%
95.5%
23.8%
Broccoli Cabbage
88%
61.5%
Cantaloupes
63.7%
Carrots
91.4%
Cauliflower
80.3%
Celery Dates Garlic
100%
50.9%
100%
Grapefruit
45.7%
Grapes
95.5%
Honeydews
100% 100%
Kiwifruit Lemons Lettuce
94.4%
81.4%
Nectarines
100% 100%
Olives
Oranges Peaches
77.2%
69.2%
Peppers, Bell Peppers, Chile
48%
54.4%
Pistachios
100% 100%
Plums
Raspberries
79.7%
Spinach Squash
73.1%
23.3%
Strawberries Tangerines
87.2%
97.6%
Tomatoes
73%
Walnuts
100%
$34.6 Billion Annual cash receipts received by California fruit, vegetable and tree nut farms in 2023.
63%
58%
California produces 63% of all U.S. grown fruits, vegetables and tree nuts.
Fruits, vegetables and tree nuts represent 58% of all California agricultural production.
Data Source: Farm Income and Wealth Statistics Accessed Via: USDA ERS
But we’re driving food production out of the state.
While legislative and regulatory decisions are made one at a time, their financial burden on California agriculture is cumulative.
California Farms
1997 CA Farms
88,000 Farms
2022 CA Farms
63,000 Farms
In 1997, the total number of California farms was nearly 88,000. By 2022, this number had fallen to just over 63,000, a loss of 25,000 farms. THIS REPRESENTS A DECREASE OF 28 PERCENT OVER 25 YEARS.
California Farm Acres
1997 CA Farm Acres
28.8 million
2022 CA Farm Acres
24.2 million
In 1997, the total number of California farm acres was 28.8 million. By 2022, this number had fallen to 24.2 million acres, a loss of 4.6 million acres of farmland. THIS REPRESENTS A DECREASE OF 16 PERCENT OVER 25 YEARS.
Data Source: 2022 Census of Agriculture Accessed Via: USDA NASS
$150 b
2014
2023
$130b
$125 b
US RETURNS TO OPERATIONS
10 year change
58.9%
$100 b
US GROSS RECEIPTS 10 year change
US PRODUCTION EXPENSES 10 year change 18.7%
25.7%
$82b
$75 b
CA RETURNS TO OPERATIONS
10 year change
-37.3%
$50 b
CA PRODUCTION EXPENSES 10 year change 29.7%
CA GROSS RECEIPTS 10 year change
9.1%
$25 b
$18b
$11b
2015
2017
2019
2021
2023
2025
US RETURNS TO OPERATIONS
CA RETURNS TO OPERATIONS
Data Source: Farm Income and Wealth Statistics – Returns to Operators Accessed Via: USDA ERS
$13 b
1998
2023
SEED 25 year change
$11.9b
FUEL 25 year change
253%
255.7%
$11 b
PESTICIDES
CONTRACT LABOR
$9 b
25 year change
116.3%
25 year change
278.2%
HIRED LABOR
FERTILIZER
$7 b
25 year change
183.2%
25 year change
316.8%
ELECTRICITY
$5 b
$4b
$4.2b
25 year change
208.4%
$2.5b $3.2b $2.3b $1.5b $1.6b
$3 b
Inflation from 1998 to 2023 was 117.5%. Rising production costs outpaced inflation by more than double in many categories.
$1.1b
$1 b
$758m $697m $433m $511m
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
Data Source: Farm Income and Wealth Statistics – Returns to Operators Accessed Via: USDA ERS
$1,600 per acre in 2024
1,366% Increase Due to compliance requirements.
Major regulatory changes affecting California agriculture between 2006 and 2024 include
$109 per acre in 2006
Food Safety Air Quality Water Quality Labor Health and Safety Labor Wages
1.2% REGULATORY COSTS 2006
12.6% REGULATORY COSTS 2024
In 2006, regulatory costs comprised just 1.24 percent of production costs. By 2024, this number had grown to 12.6 percent.
Data Source: Farm Income and Wealth Statistics – Returns to Operators Accessed Via: USDA ERS
2006 • AB 32. California Global Warming Solutions Act (Air Quality) 2007 • Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (Food Safety) 2010 • Affordable Care Act (Labor Health and Safety) 2011 • Food Safety Modernization Act (Food Safety) 2012 • Region 3 Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program Updates (Water Quality) 2014 • Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Water Quality) • AB 1522. Healthy Workplace, Healthy Family Act (Labor Health and Safety)
2015 • Heat Stress Prevention Update (Labor Health and Safety) 2016 • AB 1513. Piece Rate Compensation (Labor Wages) • SB 3. Minimum Wage Phase-In Requirement (Labor Wages) • AB 1066. Ag Overtime Pay (Labor Wages) 2017 • Region 3 Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program Updates (Water Quality) 2018 • SB 1343. Sexual Harassment Prevention Training and Education (Labor Health and Safety) 2019 • Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Updates (Food Safety) • SB 78. California Individual Health Care Mandate (Labor Health and Safety) • SB 778. Sexual Harassment Prevention Training and Education (Labor Health and Safety)
2020 • SB 1. Truck and Bus Regulation (Air Quality) • Ag Engine Registration Permits & Fees (Air Quality) • Sustainable Groundwater Management Act GSAs/GSPs (Water Quality) • Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Updates (Food Safety) 2021 • Agricultural Order 4.0 (Water Quality) • Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Updates (Food Safety) 2024 • AB 1522. Healthy Workplace, Healthy Family Act (Labor Health and Safety) • SB 553. Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (Labor Health and Safety)
Data Source: Two Decades of Change: Evolving Costs of Regulatory Compliance in the Produce Industry. Lynn Hamilton and Michael McCullough, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. January 2025. Accessed Via: Cal Poly Digital Commons
$5 b
$13 m
$0
Fruits & Veggies
-$5 b
-$10 b
-$15 b
-$20 b
The last time the U.S. had a favorable fruit and vegetable balance of trade was in 1995. By 2023, the fruit and vegetable balance of trade had fallen to a deficit of $32.5 billion .
-$25 b
$32.5 billion
-$30 b
-$32.5 b
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau Trade Data Accessed Via: USDA FAS Global Agricultural Trade System
For inquiries please contact: CORY LUNDE Vice President, External Affairs Clunde@wga.com | 949.885.2264
6501 Irvine Center Dr, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92618
wga.com
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