Rice held its spot as Yuba County’s top crop for 2020, in a season that otherwise saw overall crop values drop about 7 percent from the previous year, tallying an estimated $218,260,000 in gross values.

Declining walnut prices, decreases in the production of peaches, prunes, and kiwis, and a reduction in timber production were significant factors in the more than $16 million slide in Yuba County agricultural production. Despite the lower values, crop production for the region remains a powerful driver in the local economy.

“Rice crops in Yuba County remain strong, generating about $75 million in gross value, and walnuts still make a strong showing at $37 million in value,” said Yuba County Ag Commissioner Steve Scheer. “Livestock values increased in 2020, moving that portion of the industry into the third spot with values at about $23 million.”  

A decline in prune crop yield caused the dried plum to drop from the third spot to the fourth spot on Yuba County’s crop ranking, with an approximate value of $22 million. Rounding off the top ten crops, from the fifth the tenth spots, are peaches, kiwi, almonds, pastures, nurseries, and timber.