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For the first time since 2014 and just the third time in 30 years, San Diego County's agricultural values topped 1.8 billion, reports NBC7.
The news came from the county's annual crop report released on Thursday, August 12.
"During the pandemic, we have seen how essential farming is in San Diego County," Supervisor Jim Desmond, who represents the county's fifth supervisorial district told NBC7.
"Despite a difficult past 16 months for everyone, it's great to see farming thriving. It is an honor to be the supervisor of District Five, which has a diverse variety of agricultural crops ranging from flowers to strawberries and avocados."
The top crops in the county were nursery and cut flower products, which account for 70% of all values, and fruit and nut crops, which account for 19% of all values, reports NBC7.
On the other hand, four crop groups decreased this year: vegetable and vine crops, field crops, apiary products, and livestock and poultry.
Many growers attributed the decrease to labor shortages and business closure due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Other growers suggested that more people staying home could have increased demand for items like bedding plants, perennials, and indoor flowering and foliage plants.