California's Intensifying Drought Means Paying Up for Avocados
Following a near-record dry winter, California's agriculture sector will likely take a big hit this year and that could drive up food prices.
California produces over 250 different crops. It is the sole producer of 12 commodities including almonds, artichokes, dates, figs, olives and walnuts, according to the state's Department of Water Resources. The department found that after a near-record dry winter, the statewide snowpack's water content was only 18% of average for May 1. As the snowpack normally provides about a third of water for California's farms and cities, the department says half-full reservoirs will not be significantly replenished by a melting snowpack this spring and summer. That does not bode well for the state's agriculture.
