North Carolina Agriculture Overview

North Carolina's agricultural industry, including food, fiber and forestry, contributes $66 billion annually to the State's economy, and accounts for 19% of the State's income, and employs over 17% of the work force.

North Carolina is one of the most diversified agriculture states in the nation. The state's 50,000 farmers grow over 80 different commodities, utilizing 8.8 million of the state's 31 million acres to furnish consumers a dependable and affordable supply of food and fiber.

North Carolina produces more tobacco and sweetpotatoes than any other state and ranks second in the production of hogs, turkeys, cucumbers for pickles and Christmas trees. The state ranks eighth nationally in farm profits with a net farm income of over $2.0 billion. Net income per farm in the state is over $36,000.

North Carolina Farm Facts

• Farms in North Carolina - 48,000+
• Land in Farms - 8,800,000 acres +
• Average size of Farm - 183 acres +
• Farm Real Estate Value per Acre - $4,250 +
• Realized Net Farm Income - $2,042,447,000 ++
• Net Income per Farm - $36,472 ++
• Value of Agricultural Exports - $1,500,000,000 ++

+2006 Estimates, ++2002 Census of Agriculture

Links

Overview of North Carolina's Leading Commodities
NC Rank in US Agriculture
Major North Carolina Farm Commodities by Receipt
Crop Records (Highs and Lows)
Livestock Records (Highs and Lows)
Estimates by Commodity (County Level)
Individual County Statistical Overview