MONTGOMERY, AL — Agriculture and forestry contribute a staggering $77.3 billion annually to Alabama’s economy, according to a new study unveiled earlier this week. Hosted by the Alabama Agribusiness Council at the RSA Plaza Terrace, the event emphasized the vital role these industries play in job creation and economic growth across the state.
The “Agriculture & Forestry Grow Alabama: An Economic Contribution Study” found that agriculture and forestry support 273,271 jobs, accounting for 10% of Alabama’s workforce. The study, conducted by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University researchers, provides a detailed breakdown of economic contributions by commodity and region.
Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate highlighted the global impact of the state’s agricultural output. “The prosperity and sustainability of Alabama’s economy is heavily influenced by agriculture and these allied industries. 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.”
Jimmy Parnell, president of the Alabama Farmers Federation, also addressed the findings, emphasizing the potential for even greater economic growth. “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. 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 study was commissioned by the Alabama Agribusiness Council with support from 20 agricultural and economic organizations. The report will be updated every two years to track industry growth and contributions.
Economic Breakdown by Industry
The report details the impact of individual agricultural sectors, including:
- Timber production and processing – $30.6 billion, 91,372 jobs
- Poultry & egg production and processing – $19 billion, 47,205 jobs
- Soybean, corn & wheat production – $812.4 million, 4,736 jobs
- Beef production – $703.6 million, 10,063 jobs
- Cotton production – $566.9 million, 4,797 jobs
- Greenhouse, nursery & floriculture production – $510.6 million, 4,360 jobs
- Peanut production – $238 million, 1,940 jobs
- Catfish production – $161.3 million, 676 jobs
The full report is available at GrowAlabama.org, offering a comprehensive look at the industry’s economic contributions across the state.
