New USDA analysis shows every dollar of agricultural exports generated more than two dollars in U.S. economic output.
America's agricultural exports continue to play a major role in the broader economy, extending far beyond farms and ranches.
According to new analysis from the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS), U.S. agricultural exports valued at $177.2 billion in 2024 generated an additional $192 billion in economic activity, bringing their total economic impact to $369.2 billion.
The findings highlight the extensive network of businesses and services that benefit when U.S. farm products are sold into international markets. Before commodities and food products reach overseas buyers, they require transportation, storage, packaging, handling, marketing, financial services and logistics support, creating economic activity far beyond the farm gate.
The ERS measures these impacts through its Agricultural Trade Multipliers, which estimate the economic output and jobs supported by agricultural exports. The agency found that every $1 of U.S. agricultural exports supported approximately $2.08 in total domestic economic activity during 2024.
Nonbulk Exports Deliver the Largest Economic Boost
The analysis shows that value-added and processed agricultural products generated the largest economic ripple effects.
Nonbulk agricultural exports, which include products such as soybean meal, ethanol, meat products, almonds, fruits and vegetables, totaled $120.8 billion in 2024. Those exports supported an additional $140.5 billion in domestic economic activity beyond their export value.
Products in this category typically require additional handling, processing, packaging and transportation, creating more economic activity throughout the supply chain than raw commodity exports.
For livestock producers and food processors, the findings reinforce the importance of export markets in supporting processing facilities, transportation networks and related employment opportunities.
Bulk Commodities Remain Critical
Bulk agricultural exports also continue to be a major contributor to economic activity.
USDA reported that bulk commodities, including grain, soybeans, cotton and unprocessed tobacco, generated $56.4 billion in export value during 2024 and supported an additional $51.5 billion in domestic economic activity.
The agency noted that grain exports support activity on farms through purchases of inputs such as fertilizer and fuel while also creating demand for manufacturing, transportation and trade services.
Soybean and corn exports alone were valued at $38.2 billion and supported an additional $34 billion in economic activity, according to ERS data.
Exports Support More Than One Million Jobs
Beyond economic output, agricultural trade remains an important source of employment.
The USDA Economic Research Service estimates that U.S. agricultural exports supported 1.04 million jobs in 2024. These jobs span agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, trade, financial services and other industries connected to moving products from producers to global markets.
The report underscores how export demand affects a broad range of economic sectors. Whether the product is a shipment of soybeans headed overseas or processed meat products destined for foreign consumers, the export process creates work throughout the supply chain.
Why Export Markets Matter
For U.S. farmers, strong export demand remains an important driver of commodity prices and farm revenue. With domestic agricultural production often exceeding domestic consumption, export markets provide a critical outlet for crops, livestock products and value-added food products.
The latest USDA figures illustrate that the benefits of agricultural trade extend well beyond production agriculture. Every export shipment creates demand for railroads, trucking firms, grain handlers, processors, ports, marketers and numerous service providers throughout the economy.
As global demand for food, feed and renewable fuel products continues to evolve, export markets will likely remain a key contributor to both farm profitability and overall U.S. economic growth.
Photo – USDA