The sales of Virginia agricultural products remain robust despite a general drop in farm numbers, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2022 Census of Agriculture.
A 10% decrease in the number of Virginia farms didn’t seem to inhibit sales. Since the 2017 agricultural census, total sales of commonwealth farm-sourced products jumped from almost $4 billion to $5.5 billion in 2022.
Poultry and eggs still dominate Virginia agriculture, with Rockingham County listed as a top producer. While the number of poultry and egg operations dropped to 4,683 from 2017’s 4,752, sales leapt from $1.4 billion to $2.2 billion.
“Demand for poultry, especially chicken and eggs, continues to grow year over year,” said Tony Banks, senior assistant director of agriculture, development and innovation for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. “In 2022, higher feed costs coupled with the negative impacts on supplies associated with the highly pathogenic avian influenza contributed to the increase in overall poultry and egg revenue.”
Grains, oilseeds, dry beans and dry peas sales soared from $510 million in 2017 to $843 million. The commodity category now ranks second in agricultural product sales, grown on 4,074 farms statewide.
Cattle and calves raised on 14,730 Virginia farms contribute $695 million to overall sales, with the greatest number produced in Washington County. While this ranking dropped from No. 2 to No. 3 since 2017, sales rose by $15 million.
Virginia’s nursery, greenhouse, floriculture and sod operations brought in $399 million in sales, which was higher than the $328 million generated by the sector in 2017.
Cow’s milk is now produced on 386 farms compared to 624 in 2017. Listed at No. 5 on the sales ranking, milk brings in $354 million, with Rockingham County leading the way. Though the number of Virginia dairy farms dropped significantly, sales are up by $19 million since 2017.
Other top agricultural items sold in Virginia include “other crops and hay” at No. 6, followed by hogs and pigs; fruit, tree nuts and berries; vegetables, melons, potatoes and sweet potatoes; aquaculture; cotton and cottonseed; tobacco; horses; Christmas trees; and sheep, goats and wool.
The census’ state profile indicates that smaller operations generating less than $2,500 in sales make up 36% of the $5.5 billion overall state sales. Virginia’s farm products contribute 1% to all U.S. agricultural sales.
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