Fresno County crops: Grapes top $1 billion but overall value falls 3%

Higher prices and increased demand pushed the gross value of grapes in Fresno County past the $1 billion mark in 2012, the first time in the county’s history a single crop broke that lofty level, agriculture officials said Tuesday.

The region’s versatile grape industry solidly remained the county’s top crop, valued at $1.1 billion, up 15% from 2011.

Still, despite grapes’ strong showing, the county’s total value dropped 3% to $6.5 billion as high production costs, limited water supplies and low prices pushed it back from the record-setting $6.8 billion generated in 2011.

“Grapes had a good year and we expect that to continue for the next several years,” said Les Wright, Fresno County’s acting agricultural commissioner, who delivered the annual crop report to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

Supervisor Phil Larson was pleased with the results.

“I feel kind of proud because I am a grape grower,” Larson said. “But the issue is that people have to realize how important ag is to our area.”

Along with grapes, strong gains were posted in almonds, pistachios, peaches and plums. Almonds, the second most valuable crop in the county, generated a $952 million crop, an increase of 14.5% over 2011.

Taking big hits were cotton and wheat that decreased in acreage and value. Cotton, one of the county’s leading crops at No. 7, saw its value drop 37.5% to $272 million.

Vegetable crops declined 28.2% with noticeable drops in fresh onions, sweet corn and fresh tomatoes. Limited supplies of water, especially on the west side of the county, decreased acreage for some crops and shifted some crops to other areas of the state.

“Places like Yolo County are starting to see more tomatoes because there is more water up there,” Wright said. “And with less water this year, we will continue to see a drop of value for some crops.”

Also suffering was the Valley’s dairy industry. Last year, the value of the county’s milk production fell 12% to $449 million. High feed prices and low returns have forced many dairies out of business in the central San Joaquin Valley, the center of the state’s dairy industry. Kings County lost 22 dairies in 2012 and its unclear how many dairies in Fresno County have shut down.

The state’s No. 1 dairy county, Tulare, is expected to release its 2012 crop report in mid-July. Kings County released its annual report two weeks ago and Madera’s is expected in the coming weeks.

Wright said that with nearly 400 different commodities produced in the county, there will always be farmers who have good years and those who do not. But two crops that seem poised to continue growing are nuts and grapes.

Wright and others estimate that almonds could be the county’s next billion dollar crop, boosted by strong demand in foreign markets.

“India, Egypt and the other parts of the Middle East take a lot of our product and we don’t see that slowing down,” Wright said.

Grape industry experts also see continued growth for Valley grapes. Last year, grape growers received record prices for raisin variety grapes. The grapes, including the Thompson Seedless, can be made into raisins or used as juice concentrate by wineries.

The county’s wine grapes have also been in demand, as dwindling supplies of grapes have helped push prices higher.

“The role the San Joaquin Valley plays in the wine industry has been strengthening and over the last two or three years we have seen significant planting of wine grapes in the Valley and in Fresno County,” said Nat DiBuduo, president of Allied Grape Growers in Fresno. “And we see demand continuing for at least the next three years.”

With new golf courses springing up in and around Clark Philippines and an ever-increasing patronage by tourists from neighboring South Korea, Clark Freeport is short on hotel accommodation.

Even with the addition of 27 holes in 2009 and 2010, there is an acute shortage golf tee times for at least 5-6 months each year.  Local players compete with frustrated (golf) tourists from Korea and China for tee times.  Unfortunately Clark Philippines doesn’t have the luxury of vast tracts of land suitable for this type of development.

Mimosa offers 36 holes of championship golf, visitors can pay and play, busy during the weekends but not that difficult to get on or join up with a group to form a 4-ball.   The new FAKCC offers 27 holes of world-class golf.

Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasion

You might want to check also the Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.

Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasions. Yats Restaurant is one of the good restaurants in Pampanga, a restaurant with good food, a place that is nice for celebration, ideal for business dinner meeting, a good place to enjoy family reunion, and an attractive restaurant that serves good wines for dinner.

Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines  for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.

What many tourists and residents of Manila, Subic, Pampanga Angeles City and Clark Philippines found out over the holidays when they traveled out of town going north to Pampanga for a short getaway and a nice vacation was that there is a highly recommended hotel in Clark is also a very night out place.

Looking for a party venue in town?

Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration.

This web site contains articles and information that will be helpful to visitors, residents and tourists traveling out of town from Manila on a short getaway to Subic, Angeles City, Pampanga and Clark Philippines.  There are several web sites that contain information that might also be pertinent to what is happening in North Luzon, Subic, Tarlac, Pampanga, Clark Freeport Philippines.

Looking for interesting hotels near Manila Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga?

Trouble free hotels and well recognized hotels in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga

Clearwater Resort and Country Club offers a good place to stay in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga. In offers nice place to have rest in Subic Pampanga outside Manila.

One of the Philippines top hotels in north Luzon.

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

For assistance with lodgings, accommodations, hotels and resorts near Manila in Subic, Pampanga, Angels City and Clark Philippines log on to <a href=”http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com”>http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com</a>

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.

<a href=”http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com”>http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com</a>