U.S. agricultural exports continue to be a powerful engine for national economic growth, generating far-reaching benefits that extend well beyond the value of products shipped overseas. New estimates from USDA’s Economic Research Service show that the production, processing, storage, transportation, and marketing of farm and food goods destined for global markets create substantial additional economic activity and support more than a million American jobs.
In 2024, U.S. agricultural exports totaled $177.2 billion, but their full economic impact reached $369.2 billion once related activities were included. This additional $192 billion in output reflects the broad network of industries tied to agricultural trade—from trucking and logistics to food manufacturing and marketing. In 2025, these exports supported the equivalent of 1.04 million jobs, with every $1 billion in exports generating an estimated 5,854 jobs across the economy. Farm activities generated by U.S. exports- mainly crop and livestock production – supported a total of 429,600 jobs. These jobs included labor provided by farm operators and their family members, hired farmworkers, and contract workers. Off the farm, exports supported 607,600 total jobs in the services, trade, and transportation industries.
For dairy producers, the export story is especially significant. Dairy products ranked among the top ten U.S. agricultural exports in 2024, with shipments valued at $8.4 billion. When accounting for processing, transportation, storage, and other export-related activities, dairy exports generated an additional $12.8 billion in economic output, bringing the total to $21.2 billion. These exports supported approximately 57,578 jobs both on and off the farm.
Source : iastate.edu