Establishment and Production Costs
Lemons
Coachella Valley
Riverside County, 1998
Etaferahu Takele
Area Farm Advisor, Agricultural Economics/Farm Management
University of California Cooperative Extension, Southern Region
And
Peggy Mauk
Farm Advisor, Subtropical Horticulture
University of California Cooperative Extension, Riverside County
1998 Coachella Valley Lemons Cost and Return Study
UC Cooperative Extension
2
Establishment and Production Costs for Lemons
Coachella Valley, Riverside County, 1998
INTRODUCTION
Detailed costs for establishment of groves and the production of lemons in Coachella
Valley of Riverside County are presented in this study. The hypothetical grove used in
this report consists of a total of 50 acres, 48 of which are being either newly established,
or replanted, and the remaining two acres are in buildings and roads.
We base this study on assumptions of lemon grove establishment and production
practices and costs that are considered typical in Riverside County. These
production practices and costs are an amalgamation of costs and practices obtained
from a survey of growers and other agricultural institutions in the region. Sample
costs given for labor, materials, equipment and contract services are based on 1998
prices. This study is intended as a guide. It can be used in making production
decisions, determining potential returns, preparing budgets and evaluating
production loans.
Costs are presented in seven tables. All costs are presented on a per acre basis.
Table 1. Establishment Costs
Table 2. Production Costs
Table 3. Production Costs and Returns
Table 4. Monthly Cash Costs of production
Table 5. Whole Farm Equipment Prices and Investment Costs
Table 6. Hourly Equipment Costs
Table 7. Range Analysis
For questions, call the Southern Region Agricultural Economics/Farm Management
Advisor, Etaferahu Takele, University of California Cooperative Extension, at (909)
683-6491 ext. 243 or call the Riverside County Subtropical Horticulture Farm
Advisor, Peggy Mauk, (909) 683-6491