Graphic: US Agricultural Exports Support 1.25 Million Jobs

By Mónica Cordero

In 2022, U.S. agricultural exports supported approximately 1.25 million full-time civilian jobs, totaling more than $197 billion.

These jobs are measured in full-time equivalents (FTEs), meaning the conversion of hours worked as if they were full-time positions. This translates to roughly 6,338 jobs for every $1 billion in agricultural exports. 

These figures are based on the latest estimates from the Economic Research Service’s Agricultural Trade Multipliers (ATM), which provide annual assessments of the employment and economic output impacts of farm and food product trade on the U.S. economy.

Higher diesel prices are raising harvest and freight costs for farmers. Shay Myers of Owyhee Produce says fuel adds nearly $40,000 to weekly operating costs compared with a year ago, while freight costs have doubled.