Avocado cost studies for Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego and Riverside counties

Nov 28, 2012

UC studies have examined costs for establishing and producing conventional and organic avocados in Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego and Riverside counties.

Four new studies showing establishment and production costs for conventional and organic avocados are now available from the University of California Cooperative Extension.

Analysis for the crop is based upon hypothetical farm operations using practices common in Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego and Riverside counties. Data regarding establishment and production practices, inputs and prices were collected from growers, the University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisors, agricultural institutions, and supply and equipment dealers.

The studies describe the assumptions used to identify current costs for the crop, material inputs, cash and non-cash overhead, profitability analysis, and comparison between conventional and organic productions. Ranging analysis table shows profits over a range of prices and yields. Other tables show the monthly cash costs, the costs and returns per acre, hourly equipment costs and the whole farm annual equipment, investment and business overhead costs. 

The four new cost studies are:

For more information about the avocado studies, contact Etaferahu Takele, UC Cooperative Extension area advisor, at ettakele@ucanr.edu or by calling (951) 683-6491 in the UC Cooperative Extension, Riverside County office.

These cost studies and cost of production studies for other crops are available online at on the UC Davis Cost Study website, at UC Cooperative Extension offices and by calling (530) 752-3589.


By Mao Vue
Author - SRA I