Where does the food go and how does it get there? California farmers feed the world
Story by Caleb Hampton
With its Mediterranean climate, sophisticated water infrastructure and generations of farming knowledge, California’s agriculture sector produces more than 400 different crops. It is the only state in the U.S. that commercially grows artichokes, celery, garlic, honeydew melons, processing tomatoes, almonds, nectarines, olives and several other fruits, nuts and vegetables. California farmers and ranchers are essential to providing for the nutritional needs of people not just across the nation but around the world. In 2022, about 42% of the Golden State’s $59 billion agricultural production was sold overseas. According to economists, export markets play an important role
in sustaining local farm businesses, creating jobs in rural communities and promoting food security at home and abroad. The top commodities California farmers and ranchers produce for export include dairy products, wine, rice, table grapes, processing tomatoes and tree nuts such as almonds, pistachios and walnuts. Common destinations for California farm products include Canada, the European Union, China and Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, India, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan and the Philippines. The products’ journey from California’s rural communities to restaurants and grocery stores abroad
Top agricultural export commodities
Dairy products
Wine
32
Summer 2024
Powered by FlippingBook