Crop Production Industry Profile

Companies in this industry grow crops mainly for food and fiber. Major companies include Chiquita Brands International, Dole Food Company, Fresh Del Monte Produce, and Sunkist Growers (all based in the US); along with AMAGGI (Brazil) and Dole PLC (Ireland).

Global crop production increase reached about 10 billion tons in 2022, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization's Agricultural Production Statistics. Sugarcane, maize, rice, and wheat are the most highly produced crops by volume. China, India, the US, and Brazil are some of the top food-producing countries, according to Investopedia.

The US crop production industry includes about 2 million farms with combined annual revenue of about $280 billion, with corn and soybeans accounting for about 50% of all US crop receipts.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by federal agricultural policy programs, global and national food consumption trends, and the grain and oilseed export market. The profitability of individual companies depends on maximizing crop yield and minimizing disease risk. Large companies have advantages in highly automated technologies and access to the latest in seed and crop technologies. Small operations can compete effectively by harvesting heirloom, non-genetically modified (GM), organic, or specialty products.

US exports, which include oilseeds and grains, were valued at about $180 billion in 2023, according to Agricultural Trade of Economic Research Services (ERS). Canada, Mexico, the European Union (EU), and East Asia are major trade partners of the US.