America grows many different crops in America that are very important. These crops help feed people, support industries, and provide jobs. In 2019, farms added $136 billion to the U.S. economy. The larger farming industry added over $1.1 trillion that year. In 2020, crops earned nearly $198 billion in sales. This shows how important crops in America are for jobs and the economy. Learning about these crops helps you understand what makes U.S. farming successful.
Corn
Acreage and Production
Corn is the most grown crop in the U.S. Millions of acres are used to grow it. In 2023, farmers harvested 86.5 million acres of corn. They produced 15.4 billion bushels that year. The average yield was 177.3 bushels per acre. In 2024, farmers expect to harvest 82.9 million acres. Production is estimated at 14.9 billion bushels. The yield may improve to 179.3 bushels per acre.
Statistic | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
Corn Production (billion bushels) | 15.4 | 14.9 |
Average Yield (bushels/acre) | 177.3 | 179.3 |
Area Harvested (million acres) | 86.5 | 82.9 |
Corn's large harvest and high yield make it very important.
Economic Value
Corn farming helps the U.S. economy in big ways. In 2023, farmers grew 15.3 billion bushels of corn worth $73.9 billion. The industry created $151 billion in economic activity. It added $62 billion to the GDP and made over 600,000 jobs. Workers earned $35 billion in wages.
Corn farming added $20.7 billion directly to GDP.
It paid $12 billion in wages and benefits.
Its impact reached 524 industries across all 50 states.
Corn is used for more than farming. It helps make biofuels, feed animals, and produce food. This makes it one of the most important crops in the U.S.
Key Facts
Corn is crucial for farming and trade worldwide. It is grown in over 170 places globally. In 2020, the U.S., China, Brazil, and Argentina grew 64.63% of the world’s corn. The U.S. is a top exporter, helping global trade. From 2020-2021, the U.S., Brazil, Argentina, and Ukraine made up 88.12% of corn exports.
The U.S. and China use the most corn.
In 2020, China used 279 million tons of corn.
Corn is needed for feeding animals, making ethanol, and food products.
Corn’s many uses make it vital for the U.S. economy and global food supply.
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Soybeans
Acreage and Production
Soybeans are a major crop grown in the U.S. Farmers plant millions of acres every year to meet demand. On average, about 85.7 million acres are planted yearly. By 2025, this may drop to 83.5 million acres. This would be a 4.1% yearly decrease. Over 10 years, U.S. farmland has shrunk by 9 million acres. This has also reduced the land used for soybeans.
Soybeans are very important to U.S. farming. They make up a big part of grain and oilseed production. Corn and soybeans together made up 62% of this in 1965. By 2022, they accounted for 87%. This shows how soybeans have become more important over time.
Economic Value
Soybeans bring a lot of money to the U.S. economy. The USDA says soybean exports are in high demand. For 2024-25, weekly sales reached 307,900 metric tons. Total export sales so far are 1.775 billion bushels. This is 13% more than last year. These numbers show how valuable soybeans are.
Soybean prices can change due to trade issues and competition. Brazil and Argentina are big competitors in soybean production. Even with these challenges, soybeans are key for exports and income. They are used to make animal feed, biodiesel, and food products. This adds to their economic importance.
Key Facts
Soybeans are a key part of U.S. farming. In 1965, corn and soybeans made up 47% of harvested grain and oilseed acres. By 2022, this grew to 74%. This shows how much farmers rely on these crops. The U.S. is also a top soybean exporter, helping feed the world.
Soybeans are very useful. They feed animals, make renewable energy, and create food products. As one of America’s top crops, soybeans support the economy and farming industry.
Hay
Acreage and Production
Hay is the third most grown crop in the U.S. Farmers grow it on millions of acres for animals and farming needs. In the 1900s, hay production grew steadily with more tons each year. But in the 2000s, fewer acres were used for hay. This change happened because farmers focused on other crops.
Hay production depends on its price and how much it yields. Compared to crops like corn, these factors matter a lot. Studies show they explain 63% of yearly changes in hay acres. When hay prices go up or yields improve, farmers grow more hay. This shows how market trends affect hay farming.
Economic Value
Hay is very important for the U.S. farm economy. It feeds cattle, horses, and other animals. The value of hay depends on its quality and demand. High-quality hay sells for more, especially in areas with many animals.
Hay also helps other industries like dairy and beef. These industries need hay to feed their animals. Because of this, hay is a key part of farming. Its importance goes beyond farms, helping with food production and trade.
Key Facts
Hay is one of the most grown crops in the U.S.
It feeds livestock, especially in states like Texas and California.
Farmers grow different types of hay, like alfalfa and clover.
Weather, prices, and other crops affect how much hay is grown.
Learning about hay shows why it matters to farmers and the economy.
Wheat
Acreage and Production
Wheat is a very important crop in the U.S. It ranks third among field crops grown in America. Farmers use millions of acres to grow wheat each year. In 2025/26, about 46 million acres will be planted. This is similar to the previous year’s amount. However, dry weather has affected planting decisions.
Over the last 50 years, wheat acreage has gone down. In 1981, farmers planted 88.3 million acres of wheat. By 2019, this dropped to 45.5 million acres. Even with less land, better technology and seeds have improved yields. Most wheat grown is winter wheat, making up 70% of the total. Spring wheat is 25%, and durum wheat is less than 5%.
Economic Value
Wheat farming adds a lot to the U.S. economy. Some types of wheat are more profitable than others. Durum wheat earns the most money, followed by Hard Red Spring wheat. Soft Red Winter wheat makes the least profit. Wheat prices for 2024/25 and 2025/26 are about $5.50 per bushel. This is 8% lower than the 15-year average price.
Costs to grow wheat are rising. For example, North Dakota farmers will spend 26-29% more in 2025 than in 2021. Despite higher costs, storing wheat on farms can be a good investment. Over 10 years, storage can give a 67-200% return, depending on the wheat type and market.
Key Facts
Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
Ranking among U.S. field crops | Third |
Percentage of winter wheat production | 65–76% |
Top producing state (Kansas) | 13–21% of total winter wheat production (2000-2019) |
Decline in planted acreage (1981-2019) | From 88.3 million acres to 45.5 million acres |
The U.S. has found 1,353 wheat varieties in 16 states since 1919.
Kansas grows the most winter wheat, up to 21% of the total.
Wheat is important for feeding people and supporting global trade, even with less land used.
Cotton
Acreage and Production
Cotton is a very important crop in the U.S. Farmers grow it on millions of acres each year. Recently, 11.18 million acres of cotton were planted. Out of this, 8.27 million acres were harvested. Genetically modified cotton is widely used, covering 5.31 million hectares. By 2025, farmers plan to plant 9.6 million acres of cotton. This shows how important cotton remains in farming.
Category | Amount |
|---|---|
Acres of cotton planted | 11.18 million acres |
Acres of cotton harvested | 8.27 million acres |
Genetically modified cotton | 5.31 million hectares |
States like Texas, Georgia, and Mississippi are top cotton producers. These areas have good weather for growing cotton. Cotton is essential for making clothes and other products. It is a key part of U.S. farming.
Economic Value
Cotton adds a lot to the U.S. economy. Its total economic impact is over $120 billion yearly. Cotton and cottonseed farming alone are worth about $5 billion. Exports are very important, bringing in over $2 billion. U.S. cotton makes up 37% of the world’s cotton market. This shows how important it is for global trade.
Cotton is valuable because it is so useful. It helps make clothes, oils, and animal feed. This makes it a big part of the economy in the U.S. and worldwide.
Key Facts
Cotton is grown in 17 southern U.S. states.
The U.S. is the third-largest cotton producer after India and China.
Over one-third of the world’s cotton exports come from the U.S.
Genetically modified cotton increases yields and reduces pest problems.
Cotton farming creates many jobs in rural areas.
Learning about cotton shows how it helps the economy and why it is one of America’s most important crops.
Rice
Acreage and Production
Rice is an important crop in the U.S. Farmers grow it on about 2.8 million acres every year. This produces 20 billion pounds of rice annually. Arkansas grows the most rice, making up 40% of the total. The state’s good weather and soil are perfect for rice farming.
Metric | Value |
|---|---|
Acreage | 2.8 million acres |
Annual Production | 20 billion pounds |
Leading State | Arkansas (40% of U.S. output) |
Rice farming needs careful water and soil management. Farmers use advanced irrigation systems to help rice grow well. As rice demand increases, more land may be used for farming in the future.
Economic Value
Rice adds a lot to the U.S. economy. In 2024, the rice market was worth $4.6 billion. By 2031, it could grow to $7.3 billion, with a yearly growth rate of 5.9%. In 2022, farmers produced 11.6 million metric tons of rice. This brought in $2.1 billion from exports. Organic rice farming also grew by 12.5% that year.
Metric | Value |
|---|---|
Market Size (2024) | |
Expected Market Size (2031) | USD 7.3 Billion |
Growth Rate (CAGR 2024-2031) | 5.9% |
Rice Output (2022) | 11.6 million metric tons |
Export Value (2022) | $2.1 billion |
Organic Rice Market Growth (2022) | 12.5% |
Rice farming helps many industries, like food production and exports. It creates jobs and supports trade. This shows how rice farming strengthens the economy and agriculture.
Key Facts
Rice is the fourth most grown cereal crop in the U.S. It comes after corn, wheat, and sorghum. Between 2000 and 2009, farmers grew rice on 3.1 million acres. This could rise to 3.3 million acres in the next 10 years. The rice industry adds over $34 billion to the economy yearly and provides 125,000 jobs.
Farmers grow about 20 billion pounds of rice each year.
Arkansas grows more than half of the U.S. rice supply.
Rice farming helps with food, exports, and job creation.
Rice is very important to U.S. farming. It feeds millions, supports industries, and boosts the economy. As a key crop, rice plays a big role in farming and trade.
Potatoes
Acreage and Production
Potatoes are very important in U.S. farming. They grow on about 900,000 acres across the country. Farmers harvest 400 to 425 million hundredweight (cwt) of potatoes yearly. This makes potatoes one of the top crops in America. Nebraska has done especially well with potato farming. In 2023, Nebraska produced 11.0 million cwt of potatoes, a new record. Farmers there harvested 21,900 acres, adding $139 million to the state’s economy.
Growing potatoes takes careful work and planning. Farmers use advanced tools to grow more and better potatoes. These methods help meet the high demand for potatoes in the U.S. and other countries.
Economic Value
Potatoes are very valuable to the U.S. economy. The National Potato Council says the industry added $100.9 billion in 2021. This includes $10.8 billion from farming, $49.1 billion from processing and selling, and $41 billion from food services and homes. Potatoes also provide about 714,000 jobs, making them key to farming jobs.
Each year, potato farming is worth $3.9 to $4.2 billion. This shows how potatoes are not just food but also help the economy grow. From fries to chips, potatoes are always in demand because they are so useful.
Key Facts
The U.S. grows 400–425 million cwt of potatoes each year.
Nebraska broke a record in 2023 with 11.0 million cwt of potatoes.
Over 700,000 jobs in the U.S. come from the potato industry.
Potatoes add over $100 billion to the U.S. economy.
Farmers plant potatoes on about 900,000 acres every year.
Potatoes are a key crop in the U.S., feeding many people and helping industries. Their role in farming and the economy is very important.
Sugar Beets
Acreage and Production
Sugar beets are very important in U.S. farming. In 2023, farmers grew 35.2 million tons of sugar beets. This was more than the 32.6 million tons grown in 2022. But next season, the land used for sugar beets will shrink by 2.63%. It will drop from 1.159 million acres to 1.128 million acres. Montana will lose 9,600 acres because a processing plant is closing. Bad weather and market problems are also hurting sugar beet quality. This is especially true in North Dakota and Michigan.
The August 2023 WASDE report says sugar from beets will reach 5.073 million tons. Fortum AGROCONSULTING predicts a smaller amount of 4.975 million tons for 2023/24. They warn that bad weather could lower production. Even with these issues, sugar beets are still a key crop. They are very important to U.S. farming.
Economic Value
Sugar beets bring a lot of money to the U.S. economy. Texas A&M University says the sugar industry makes $23.3 billion every year. It also provides over 150,000 jobs in many states. These jobs include farming, processing, and shipping sugar. This shows how sugar beets help keep people employed and grow the economy.
Sugar beets are also very important for making food. They are a main source of sugar, which is used in candy, drinks, and more. Their value goes beyond farming, helping trade and businesses across the country.
Key Facts
Farmers grew 35.2 million tons of sugar beets in 2023.
Land for sugar beets will shrink by 2.63% next season.
Montana will lose 9,600 acres due to a plant closing.
The sugar industry adds $23.3 billion yearly to the economy.
Over 150,000 jobs come from sugar farming and related work.
Sugar beets are a top source of sugar for food and trade.
Sugar beets are one of the most valuable crops in the U.S. They help farming, create jobs, and boost the economy, making them essential to agriculture.
Barley
Acreage and Production
Barley is a useful crop grown in the U.S. Farmers plant about 2.5 million acres every year. It grows well in cooler places like North Dakota, Montana, and Idaho. Barley is mainly used for animal feed, making malt, and food.
The amount of land used for barley changes over time. Farmers decide how much to plant based on weather and market needs. Better farming methods help grow more barley on less land. This makes barley an important crop in U.S. farming.
Economic Value
Barley is important for the farm economy. It is used in brewing, feeding animals, and making food. But global markets can change its price. In late 2023, barley prices dropped by $100 per ton. This happened because farmers used more substitutes like oats, feed wheat, and imported corn.
Even with these problems, barley is still a good crop to grow. Breweries need malted barley, so demand stays steady. Barley also helps livestock farming by providing good feed. Growing barley supports industries that rely on this crop.
Key Facts
Barley grows best in cool places like northern states.
Farmers plant about 2.5 million acres of barley yearly.
Barley prices change due to competition from other feed crops.
Breweries need malted barley, keeping demand high.
Barley helps livestock farming by giving animals quality feed.
Barley’s many uses make it an important crop. It is vital for brewing, feeding animals, and making food, helping U.S. agriculture thrive.
Peanuts
Acreage and Production
Peanuts are an important crop in U.S. farming. In 2022, farmers planted 1.45 million acres of peanuts. This produced 5.57 billion pounds of peanuts that year. By 2023, peanut planting grew by 15%, showing higher demand. Georgia is the top peanut producer, growing nearly 2.9 billion pounds in 2022. However, the average yield dropped to 3,668 pounds per acre, the lowest since 2016.
Peanuts grow best in areas with good soil and weather. Virginia and the Carolinas plant 175,000 to 230,000 acres yearly. These states produce about 457,000 tons of peanuts. Texas also grows many peanuts, with 47,232 acres planted. These regions show how peanuts help local farming economies.
Region | Acres Planted | Tons Produced | Value ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
Virginia & Carolinas | 175,000 - 230,000 | 457,000 | 215 million |
Texas | 47,232 | N/A | N/A |
Economic Value
Peanuts add a lot to the U.S. economy. Their value depends on how much is grown and sold. Buyers’ choices and pricing affect how much farmers earn. Studies explain how these factors shape the peanut market.
Peanuts are used in many products like peanut butter, oils, and snacks. This makes them very popular and supports food factories and exports. The peanut industry creates jobs and helps trade, making it vital to the economy.
Key Facts
Peanut acreage in 2022: 1.45 million acres
Georgia’s peanut production in 2022: 2.9 billion pounds
Average peanut yield: 3,668 pounds per acre (lowest since 2016)
Peanuts support food factories, exports, and local economies
Peanuts are more than just a crop. They help farmers, industries, and the economy. Their production shows how they feed the nation and boost economic growth.
FAQ
What are the top crops grown in the U.S.?
Corn, soybeans, and hay are the main crops in the U.S. They cover large areas and help feed people, support industries, and grow the economy.
Why is corn important for U.S. farming?
Corn is vital because it has many uses. It feeds animals, makes biofuels, and is used in many foods. Its high production and value make it key to farming.
How do farmers pick which crops to plant?
Farmers think about market needs, weather, and profits. Crops like wheat and barley are chosen because they grow well in certain climates and soils.
Which state grows the most rice?
Arkansas grows the most rice in the U.S., about 40% of the total. Its good weather and soil make it perfect for rice farming.
How do U.S. crops help the economy?
U.S. crops add billions of dollars each year. They help food production, exports, and energy. They also create jobs and support rural areas.