MONTGOMERY — 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 Tuesday 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 have been in the past and continue to be an extremely important part of Alabama’s economy, but to know that we are contributing $77.3 billion to our state’s economy each year is extremely valuable,” said Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell as he addressed the crowd during the press conference. “What’s really exciting is to think about how much this number could grow in the future if our state would focus on more economic development that supports these industries.”
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
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