Virtually 100 percent of all artichokes grown commercially in the United States are grown in California.
Total crop value of artichokes for the 2007-2008 crop season was over $50 million.
Artichoke production occurs year-round, but nearly one-third 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 2007-2008 crop year was 7,772.
The artichoke is the Official Vegetable of Monterey County.
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. This huge gain can be attributed in large part to the increase in annual acreage.
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.
As recognition of this status, Ladispoli, Italy, a town near Rome that grows some very famous artichokes, picked Castrovillle as a sister city.