Significantly, California is the only state in the nation to export the following commodities: 100 percent of the almonds, artichokes, dates, dried plums, figs, garlic, kiwifruit, olives, pistachios, raisins and walnuts. A few of California's agricultural exports experienced dramatic growth in 2009--exports of rice jumped by 59 percent to $877 million, making that commodity second to almonds as a top export crop. Walnuts, pistachios, fresh tomatoes and spinach also enjoyed export gains over the prior year. The top three export destinations for California's agricultural bounty are Canada, the European Union and Japan. These destinations are major agricultural trading partners, representing 46 percent of total value at $5.7 billion in 2009. Over the past seven years, California's agricultural exports have realized tremendous growth. Using 2003 as the base year, the state's exports have increased by 66 percent. Clearly, it is the taste and unparalleled quality of California's food and agricultural products that drive this demand worldwide.

Crop and Livestock Commodities in which California Leads the Nation
Almonds
Escarole/Endive
Limes
Plums
Apricots
Figs
Melons, Cantaloupe
Plums, Dried
Artichokes
Flowers, Bulbs
Melons, Honeydew
Pluots
Asparagus
Flowers, Cut
Milk
Pomegranates
Avocados
Flowers, Potted Plants
Milk Goats
Raspberries
Beans, Dry Lima
Garlic
Nectarines
Rice, Sweet
Bedding/Garden Plants
Grapes, Raisins
Nursery, Bedding Plants
Safflower
Broccoli
Grapes, Table
Nursery Crops
Seed, Alfalfa
Brussels Sprouts
Grapes, Wine
Olives
Seed, Bermuda Grass
Cabbage, Chinese
Greens, Mustard
Onions, Dry
Seed, Ladino Clover
Cabbage, F.M.
Hay, Alfalfa
Onions, Green
Seed, Vegetable and Flower
Carrots
Herbs
Parsley
Spinach
Cauliflower
Kale
Peaches, Clingstone
Strawberries
Celery
Kiwifruit
Peaches, Freestone
Tangelos
Chicory
Kumquats
Pears, Bartlett
Tangerines
Cotton, American Pima
Lemons
Peppers, Bell
Tomatoes, Processing
Daikon
Lettuce, Head
Persimmons
Vegetables, Greenhouse
Dates
Lettuce, Leaf
Pigeons and Squabs
Vegetables, Oriental
Eggplant
Lettuce, Romaine
Pistachios
Walnuts
Wild Rice

California is the sole producer (99 percent or more) of the commodities in bold.