Missouri Ag Highlights
Missouri has a great agricultural tradition and a bright future. The Show Me State is home to 95,000 farms, covering two-thirds of the state’s total land acreage and supporting many of the state’s top agricultural commodities including soybeans, corn, cattle and calves, hogs and turkeys. On average, Missouri farms are about 291 acres and nearly all are family owned and operated.
Missouri’s terrain contributes greatly to its agricultural diversity. Fertile soil, great for growing crops, is plentiful across the state. The Ozark Plateau, the largest part of Missouri, is covered in forested hills and known for its large lakes and clear rivers. In the Bootheel region, appropriately named for its distinctive shape, rich farmland supports crops ranging from cotton and rice to corn and soybeans. This varied terrain allows the state to produce many different and unexpected crops including several unique grape varieties that make rich, flavorful Missouri wines. That fertile land aids in the production of Missouri’s top crops – soybeans and corn.
Missouri Top Commodities
| Top 5 Agriculture Commodities, 2019 | Farm receipts (1,000 dollars) | State farm receipt percentage | U.S. farm receipt percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soybeans | 2,117,687 | 23 | 5.5 |
| Corn | 1,676,078 | 18 | 3.5 |
| Cattle and calves | 1,868,711 | 20 | 2.4 |
| Hogs | 926,258 | 10 | 4.7 |
| Broilers | 706,887 | 8 | 2.6 |
| All commodities | 9,347,000 | 100 | 2.5 |
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.
| Top 10 Agriculture Exports, Estimates, 2021 | Exports (1,000 dollars) |
|---|---|
| Soybeans | 550,402 |
| Corn | 443,815 |
| Pork & Pork Products | 387,991 |
| Forest Products | 279,069 |
| Dairy Products | 227,853 |
| Dog & Cat Food | 168,856 |
| Soybean Meal | 165,788 |
| Other Feeds & Fodders | 122,749 |
| Soup & Other Food Preparations | 121,848 |
| Bakery Goods, Cereals, & Pasta | 97,316 |
| Total exports | 3,111,239 |
The forest products industry contributes $10 billion to Missouri’s economy with exports increasing nearly 7% over the last five years to reach $188 million. 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 forestry industry is comprised of about 400 primary wood processors including sawmills, stave mills, cooperage mills, log brokers, post mills and charcoal plants. Furthermore, there are approximately 1,000 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.
To learn more about Missouri’s Domestic & International Marketing Program, visit Agriculture.Mo.Gov/exports.
Missouri Specialty Crops
The Missouri Specialty Crop Survey, which was funded by the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, was designed to better understand the farming operations and impact Missouri specialty crop producers have in Missouri.
For more information regarding statistics about Missouri agriculture, visit USDA-ERS’ website.