Artichoke Facts and Growing Statistics from Artichoke Advisory Board of California

Virtually 100 percent of all artichokes grown commercially in the United States are grown in California.

Total crop value of artichokes for the 2002-2003 crop season was almost $50 million.

Artichoke production occurs year-round, but nearly half the crop is harvested between March and May. There is another smaller peak that generally happens in October. This year's ideal weather conditions also created heavier than usual production in January and February.

Artichoke acreage for the 2002-2003 crop year was 6,997, the lowest in over 30 years, but production per acre continued to gain.

Average production over the past 5 years has been over 4 million cartons for the entire state and 533 cartons per acre. Twenty years ago the industry harvested an average of 300 cartons per acre.

A little more than 80% of all artichoke acreage is located in Monterey County. In 2002 artichokes were ranked 14th in crop value for agriculturally rich Monterey County, bringing in nearly $45 million.

The artichoke is the Official Vegetable of Monterey County.

Castroville, a town with a population of a little more than 5,000 and located in Monterey County, is the self-proclaimed "Artichoke Center of the World" because three-fourths of all California artichokes are grown in this area.