With both land and prices down in 2008, the value of Santa Cruz County's strawberry crop plunged $36 million, or nearly 37 percent, compared to 2007. Raspberries, more and more popular crop among growers and consumers, made up most of the difference, posting a gain of $35 million, a 50 percent increase over 2007.But strawberries still reign as the top crop, accounting for $160 million of last year's $485 million total agricultural production, according to the recently released 2008 Santa Cruz County Crop Report. No one believes raspberries to grab the crown.
Raspberry growers, on the other hand, saw prices increase to record levels at nearly $5,500 a ton.
The crop report, formed annually by the county agriculture commissioner, noted a slight dip in overall crop value in 2008, but several crops produced more dollars, including raspberries; apples, up 20 percent thanks to higher production on fewer acres; and broccoli, where higher prices tripled the worth of the crop.
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