Pandemic - related personnel casualty to California farm , ranches and farming businesses will cast between $ 5.9 billion and $ 8.6 billion this twelvemonth , concord to an economical survey released today . The psychoanalysis tell the state ’s agricultural sector has already suffered $ 2 billion in departure so far , from disrupted markets and rise production costs related to the COVID-19 outbreak .

Financial impacts of the pandemic depart widely among unlike parts of the agricultural economy , the study says , look in part on how much a particular craw or commodity relies on sales to intellectual nourishment table service and how much it has been affected by shift in retail requirement and changes in cost of production and processing .

Produced by Davis - based ERA Economics , the study was commissioned by a coalition conduct by the California Farm Bureau Federation and including UnitedAg , Ag Association Management Services Inc. , the California Fresh Fruit Association , California Strawberry Commission , California Tomato Growers Association and Western Plant Health Association .

CFBF President Jamie Johansson said the study illustrates the scope of the pandemic ’s impact .

“ California Fannie Farmer , ranchers and their employees have go on the essential body of work want to keep American families feed , but that work has come with forfeit , ” Johansson said . “ The wallop is being felt in rural community of interests throughout the state that rely on Agriculture Department for their residents ’ livelihoods . We want legislators and regulators to bear that in head and avoid making farming even more costly and difficult in California . ”

Analysts count specifically at 15 different agricultural sectors , using data point on production , exports and price through early May , plus interview and survey of mass and business concern . The written report showed the heavy dollar - going impact to dairy , $ 1.4 billion to $ 2.3 billion ; grape , $ 1.5 billion to $ 1.7 billion ; and heyday and baby’s room , $ 660 million to $ 740 million .

In addition , the write up say farms , ranches and related to businesses have get higher operating costs for measure intended to increase employee health and refuge , and in the logistics required to move crops and good to market .

“ Along with the loss of fundamental markets due to food service disappearing overnight or flower shop class and garden center not being allowed to operate on in certain domain , we now are adapting to substantial increased operational costs that many California farmers will never recoup , ” said Chris Zanobini , Chief Executive / CEO of Ag Association Management Services .

Some crop have seen increase business action during the pandemic , the composition say , advert shelf - stable items such as Elmer Reizenstein , process tomato products and canned yield . But in total , the study enunciate , “ the personnel casualty far outweigh the isolated benefit . ”

disconnected shift in buy patterns in exportation and domestic securities industry — prompted by the coarctation in restaurant and other food for thought - avail sales agreement and a swing to retail purchases for at - home use — have affected farmers , rancher and agrarian business at various point in the supply chain , the study says , ultimately result in farm - gate crop Mary Leontyne Price impacts .

“ Observing how farming is bear upon will help us orient and decisively act to create a unassailable future , ” UnitedAg President and CEO Kirti Mutatkar said . “ The agricultural diligence is not only one of the most necessary industries , but one of the most bouncy . ”

author : California Farm Bureau Federation .