“Feeding the Economy” Report Shows Food and Agriculture Industries Generate $10.4 Trillion and Support Nearly 49 Million Jobs
March 23, 2026CropLife America (CLA) today highlighted the findings of the 10th annual Feeding the Economy report, a comprehensive study analyzing the economic contributions of the entire U.S. food and agriculture supply chain.
“The Feeding the Economy report makes it clear: agriculture feeds our families and fuels our economy—supporting more than $10.4 trillion in economic activity and nearly 20% of U.S. jobs. That’s not something we can take for granted,” said Alexandra Dunn, president and CEO of CLA. “Farmers, and the innovations that support them, including crop protection tools like pesticides, are essential to delivering healthy, affordable, and abundant food while sustaining jobs across the entire value chain.”
The Feeding the Economy report highlights the broad impact of the food and agriculture value chain, from farms and ranches to food manufacturing, distribution, retail, and food service. Key findings include:
• The food and agriculture sector supports 48.7 million jobs, including nearly 24.3 million direct jobs across the supply chain.
• Food manufacturing is the largest manufacturing sector in the United States, employing more than 2.28 million workers.
• U.S. food and agriculture exports totaled more than $177.3 billion, highlighting the importance of global markets for American producers.
• The sector generates $1.35 trillion in tax revenue for federal, state, and local governments.
As the industry navigates ongoing challenges, including economic pressures and regulatory delays, the report underscores the importance of a strong and resilient U.S. food and agriculture system.
The Feeding the Economy report is an annual study measuring the economic impact of the entire U.S. food and agriculture value chain, including farming, ranching, food manufacturing, processing, distribution, retail, and foodservice. The report highlights how these industries support jobs, economic growth, and communities across urban, suburban, and rural America.
Read the full report at feedingtheeconomy.com.
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About CropLife America
Established in 1933, CropLife America (www.croplifeamerica.org) is the national trade association representing the pesticide industry. Our members drive innovation by discovering, producing, selling, and distributing the essential pesticide products that empower America’s farmers to produce food, fuel, and fiber for our nation and the world. CLA can be found on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) at @CropLifeAmerica.