AFBF: Food & Ag Generate 20% of Economic Output

USAgNet - 03/27/2026

Each year, the Feeding the Economy report provides one of the most comprehensive looks at the full economic footprint of U.S. food and agriculture. While often discussed in terms of farm receipts or commodity production, the report highlights a much broader reality: agriculture is not just a sector, it is a foundational driver of economic activity that supports millions of jobs, trillions in output and significant tax revenue across every state.

According to the American Farm Bureau, the 2026 Feeding the Economy report estimates $10.4 trillion in economic output tied to food and agriculture, accounting for roughly one-fifth of all U.S. economic activity, while supporting nearly 49 million jobs across the economy. At the center of that system are farmers and ranchers, whose production underpins economic stability by supplying the raw goods that feed families, sustain industries, support jobs, keep supply chains functioning nationwide and help ensure that the economic value tied to food production remains in the United States.

Key Takeaways

• Food and agriculture supports $10.4 trillion in total U.S. economic output, representing about 20% of all economic activity.

• The sector supports nearly 49 million jobs, or roughly 30% of total U.S. employment, even though on-farm jobs account for less than 2%.

• Food and agriculture generates more than $1.3 trillion in tax revenue, reinforcing its role as a foundation of local, state and federal economies.

• Maintaining domestic food and agriculture production helps anchor jobs, income and economic activity within the United States.

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