Jobs that Wouldn't Exist Without Agriculture

California agriculture is a major player on the world stage—but the impact of trade goes well beyond the state. A new Market Intel report from the American Farm Bureau Federation breaks down what U.S. ag exports mean for the entire national economy.

In 2023, U.S. agricultural exports totaled $175.5 billion. Those exports supported more than 1.05 million full-time jobs across the country—and over half of those weren’t on the farm. About 580,000 jobs were in sectors like trucking, warehousing, processing, and shipping. These are the workers who keep the supply chain moving and connect U.S. agriculture to global markets.

While these are national numbers, the story hits home in California—where ag exports move through ports, trucks, and warehouses every day. These jobs in transportation, logistics, and processing are part of a much bigger picture: agricultural trade is fueling entire sectors of the economy that don’t start on the farm but wouldn’t exist without it.

For more, read the full report from AFBF: https://www.fb.org/market-intel/agricultural-trade-supporting-u-s-farms-jobs-and-communities