SALEM, Ore. – The West Coast nursery industry can look at the 1990s as a boom time fed by population growth, while the rest of agriculture suffered from low commodity prices, oversupply and other perennial problems.
OREGON
Nursery sales increased every year this decade in Oregon. It is possible that the trend might date back even further, but 1990 was the first year the state’s agricultural statistics service surveyed the industry.
"When you think about everything that’s happening in agriculture, that’s a phenomenal growth record," said Clayton Hannon, executive director of the Oregon Association of Nurserymen.
Oregon sales totaled a record $532 million in 1998, making nursery and greenhouse products the state’s top-selling commodity for the fifth consecutive year. Ornamentals make up the bulk of the state’s nursery crop, and roughly 70 percent of the stock is exported to other states. "The early indication is that sales in 2000 will be even better," said Hannon.
CALIFORNIA
California, which features a broader range of products than Northwest states, reached $2.4 billion in sales for 1998, which includes cut flowers, flower seeds, Christmas trees, roses, bedding plants and ornamentals. In the last 10 years, nursery products have moved from sixth to third in agricultural sales in California behind milk and cream, and grapes, respectively.
"The industry is doing well and will continue to do well for at least the next five years because the population keeps growing," said Jack Wick, regulatory consultant with the California Association of Nurserymen. "People need lawns and everything we sell."
Washington
In Washington, which features a retail-oriented industry, Washington State University commissioned a comprehensive statewide nursery survey. It was completed for the first time last year, looking at the 1996-97 season. Wholesale operations in Washington fetched nearly $282 million, making nursery products No. 8 in sales in the state.
IDAHO
Even in Idaho, where potatoes, cattle and dairy are dominant, nursery sales are increasing and totaled $55.5 million in 1997. Heavy construction activity in Boise and Post Falls-Coeur d'Alene is keeping the state’s nursery industry growing.
Reasons For Growth
Another indication of growth is the number of attendees and exhibitors at the region’s producer- and consumer-oriented shows.
Duane Kelly, chairman of the Northwest and San Francisco Flower and Garden Shows, expects a record 90,000 visitors to attend his Seattle show in February. More than 100 companies are on the waiting list to exhibit.
The popularity of the nursery industry is spilling over. Some farmers of commodities such as berries are converting their farms to nurseries.
And new events and exhibits are being established. The Washington Nursery and Landscape Association is selling booth space for its first Emerald Expo at Seattle’s Stadium Exhibition Center.
The surging popularity may also have something to do with the aging population, nurserymen say.
"The Baby Boom generation is largely embracing gardening," said Kelly. "People live and work at a fast pace these days and that creates a need to get away from that. I don't see the pace of life slowing down."