University of Arizona researchers say vegetable farmers are more concentrated in Yuma County than car manufacturing is around Detroit.
According to their new study, Yuma agriculture and associated businesses contributed $4.4 billion in economic activity to Arizona in 2022.
Professor George Frisvold said perfect climate, water and labor availability make Yuma unique. And the region supplies leafy-green vegetables for about half of the year.
“But really Yuma dominates lettuce shipments in the U.S. from about Veteran's Day until the end of April. So it’s a lot longer than just the winter months,” said Frisvold with UA’s Department of Agricultural Research Economics.
Frisvold said Yuma produce generated about $275 million in sales in Arizona alone.
He said Yuma uses about two-thirds of an acre foot of water to sell $1,000 worth of vegetables.
“The average for the entire Colorado basin, Lower Basin and Upper Basin is more than double what Yuma is using,” Frisvold said.
The study was partly paid for by a public-private partnership connecting UA scientists and Yuma’s agriculture industry.
