Missouri Ag Highlights
Agriculture is Missouri’s top economic driver and employs nearly 460,000 people across the state. We are home to almost 88,000 farms, averaging 308 acres each.
Missouri has a diverse agriculture industry, strong in crops and livestock, as well as food and forestry processing. A 2021 study of the economic contribution of Missouri agriculture and forestry showed that agriculture is a $93.7 billion industry.
It is the diversity of Missouri agriculture that makes our state unique. Glaciers shaped northern Missouri, leaving the area prime for corn and soybean production. Southwest Missouri is cattle country. The “Bootheel” of Missouri is part of the Mississippi Delta region, with fertile ground suitable for cotton, rice, melon and peanut production, in addition to thousands of acres of corn and soybeans.
The confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers is found nearby in St. Louis. We are fortunate to have the nation’s largest rivers in our state, providing cost-competitive transportation alternatives for inbound fertilizers and outbound grain products. The significance of these two rivers to agriculture and exploration cannot be overstated.
St. Louis is also home to the world’s largest accumulation of plant scientists. Across the state, the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor represents the largest concentration of animal health companies in the world.
Missouri Top Commodities
| Top 5 Agriculture Commodities, 2022 | Farm receipts (1,000 dollars) | State farm receipt percentage | U.S. farm receipt percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soybeans | 3,446,424 | 23.4 | 6.2 |
| Corn | 3,071,976 | 20.9 | 3.5 |
| Poultry and Eggs | 2,746,032 | 18.7 | 3.6 |
| Cattle and Calves | 2,211,897 | 15.0 | 2.5 |
| Hogs and Pigs | 1,567,528 | 10.7 | 4.3 |
For further data, visit nass.usda.gov.
Missouri Agriculture Exports
Missouri’s agriculture exports are as diverse as its producers and processors. Agriculture products from the Show-Me State are exported throughout the world.Missouri Forestry
Missouri’s forestry industry has many primary wood processors including sawmills, stave mills, cooperage mills, log brokers, post mills and charcoal plants. Furthermore, we house secondary wood processors including pallet mills, flooring producers, furniture and cabinet shops. Wine and whiskey barrels, tequila bottle caps, hardwood flooring and furniture are just a few among the many value-added wood products Missouri supplies to its domestic and international customers.
Access to major water systems, rail systems, highway systems, airports and three Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) make Missouri a great place to do business. Missouri has a competitive advantage as U.S. forest products are in high demand, and Missouri companies produce some of the finest logs, lumber and value-added wood products in the country.
Missouri’s top wood species include:
- Red oak
- White Oak
- Hickory
- Black Walnut
For more information regarding statistics about Missouri agriculture, visit USDA-ERS’ website.