Agriculture and forestry provide the building blocks of society — food, fiber and timber. They also contribute a massive amount to Alabama’s economy to the tune of $77.3 billion annually, making agriculture and forestry one of the top industries in the state.
That number was among data included in the “Agriculture & Forestry Grow Alabama: An Economic Contribution Study,” released today during a press conference hosted by the Alabama Agribusiness Council at the RSA Plaza Terrace in downtown Montgomery.
The report also found agriculture and forestry account for 273,271 jobs, or 10% of Alabama’s workforce.
“The prosperity and sustainability of Alabama’s economy is heavily influenced by agriculture and these allied industries, and I’m proud to represent the hard-working people employed in those endeavors,” said Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate. “Commodities produced in our state help feed and clothe people across the globe. They also add beauty to our environment and protect our natural resources.”
The economic numbers include production of goods and services, costs of inputs to production and additional expenditures from household income.
“Agriculture and forestry contributes a large part to Alabama’s economy, but to know over 10 percent of the state’s workforce belong to either the agriculture or forestry industry speaks to the importance of these two within the state,” said Alabama Poultry and Egg CEO Johnny Adams. “The states poultry industry accounts for over 71 percent of agricultural commodity sales equaling $19 billion annually and over 47 thousand job.”
The full report breaks down data by commodities as well as 10 geographic regions based on U.S. Department of Agriculture definitions. Researchers plan to review, update and release new economic contribution totals every two years.
The report was commissioned by the Alabama Agribusiness Council and conducted by researchers of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University. Support from 20 agricultural and economic organizations helped fund the current study as well as future updates.
To learn more, visit GrowAlabama.org.
Commodity Information for Economic Contribution and Jobs
- Timber production and processing — $30.6 billion and 91,372 jobs
- Poultry & egg processing & production — $19 billion and 47,205 jobs
- Soybean, corn & wheat production — $812.4 million and 4,736 jobs
- Beef production — $703.6 million and 10,063 jobs
- Cotton production — $566.9 million and 4,797 jobs
- Greenhouse, nursery & floriculture production — $510.6 million and 4,360 jobs
- Peanut production — $238 million and 1,940 jobs
- Catfish production — $161.3 million and 676 jobs