Each state across America is labeled as producing one agriculture product in the largest quantity and the largest monetary value, sometimes these are two different crops. The importance of each state producing these crops is essential in being able to know where your food comes from, as many of these crops go directly to feeding humans. Some states are known for producing more animal products than crop products, but for this article, I am just focusing on what crops each state produces the most when looking at what goes directly into human consumption. Profit value for each of these crops to the state will be listed so you can see the impact that agriculture has on a single state in just one year and why it is so important.
1. Alabama – Peanuts
Alabama produces peanuts as its top crop, and they make $241 million on them!
2. Alaska – Potatoes
It may be surprising that Alaska can produce enough potatoes to have them as their top crop, but remember they can’t grow a whole lot else. They make $3.8 million on their potato crop.
3. Arizona – Lettuce
Arizona makes $424 million on lettuce a year!
4. Arkansas – Rice
Rice doesn’t just come from patty bogs in Asian countries, it can come from right here in America! Arkansas makes $136 million on their rice.
5. California – Grapes
California makes the most money on their top crop; $5.2 billion a year!
6. Colorado – Wheat
A lot of states in the Midwest are well known for their grain crops. Colorado makes $536 million a year on theirs alone!
7. Connecticut – Sweet Corn
Who doesn’t love corn on the cob! Connecticut makes $11 million on their sweet corn crop.
8. Delaware – Wheat
Although not in the Midwest, Delaware makes $44 million on its wheat crop per year.
9. Florida – Oranges
This one is no surprise, and it’s also not a surprise they make $1.8 billion a year!
10. Georgia – Peanuts
One could have guessed this would be peaches, but surprisingly peanuts are the top crop of Georgia at $960 million a year profit!
11. Hawaii – Sugarcane
Hawaii’s tropical environment makes it perfect for making $73 million a year on sugarcane!
12. Idaho – Potatoes
No surprise here that Idaho makes $1 billion on their potato crop!
13. Illinois – Wheat
Another Midwestern state making $139 million on their wheat.
14. Indiana – Wheat
Making $243 million a year, Indiana makes more on their wheat crop than Illinois.
15. Iowa – Wheat
Third state in a row with wheat as their top product, making only $4.5 million.
16. Kansas – Wheat
Kansas makes the highest on their wheat production at $2.9 billion!
17. Kentucky – Wheat
The wheat crop for Kentucky gives them a $201 million profit.
18. Louisiana – Sugarcane
The wet area of Louisiana allows them to grow sugarcane and make higher profit than Hawaii at $512 million a year!
19. Maine – Potatoes
The third state producing potatoes as their top crop making $177 million a year.
20.Maryland – Wheat
Like Delaware, Maryland is out of the breadbasket, but still profits on wheat at $114 million a year.
21. Massachusetts – Cranberries
Not for everyone, but no surprise, the bogs of Massachusetts bring in $100 million in profit for the state each year.
22. Michigan – Wheat
Another state producing wheat, profiting $322 million a year.
23. Minnesota – Wheat
Midwestern state falling right into the breadbasket. Minnesota makes $622 million a year on their wheat crop.
24. Mississippi – Rice
Joining Arkansas, Mississippi makes $136 million on rice a year.
25. Missouri – Wheat
Another breadbasket state, making $272 million.
26. Montana – Wheat
A state we wouldn’t consider to be part of the breadbasket, but still making a lot of money on wheat; $1.6 billion!
27. Nebraska – Wheat
Nebraska makes $419 million on their wheat crop each year.
28. Nevada – Wheat
A lot of states have wheat as their top crop and Nevada is joining in at $9.3 million a year profit.
29. New Hampshire – Apples
Our first state with the famous fruit, New Hampshire makes $7.8 million a year on apples!
30. New Jersey – Blueberries
If you want a big slice of blueberry pie, look to New Jersey. They make $81 million on their berries each year.
31. New Mexico – Pecans
For nut fans, pecans are the top crop of New Mexico making $111 million a year.
32. New York – Apples
NYC is properly called the Big Apple as New York profits $250 million a year on apples.
33. North Carolina – Wheat
Another wheat state, making $286 million a year on the crop.
34. North Dakota – Wheat
North Dakota makes $2.7 billion on wheat a year!
35. Ohio – Wheat
Close to the breadbasket, Ohio’s top crop is raking in $243 million a year!
36. Oklahoma – Wheat
A prime breadbasket state, Oklahoma makes $1.2 billion on wheat.
37. Oregon – Wheat
Surprisingly, yet another state that profits on wheat, making $465 million a year.
38. Pennsylvania – Mushrooms
Best known for a fungus, Pennsylvania makes $529 million a year on mushrooms!
39. Rhode Island – Sweet Corn
Another state that profits off corn on the cob, making $3.5 million a year.
40. South Carolina – Peanuts
If you’re allergic to peanuts avoid South Carolina! They make $133 million a year on them!
41. South Dakota – Wheat
Just like its neighbor North Dakota, South Dakota’s top crop is wheat bringing in $821 million a year.
42. Tennessee – Wheat
Tennessee makes $145 million a year on wheat.
43. Texas – Wheat
Texas makes $643 million a year on wheat in their arid climate. They use a lot of irrigation to grow their crops.
44. Utah – Wheat
Utah joins the group and makes $52 million on wheat each year.
45. Vermont – Maple Syrup
Different from any other state, Vermont profits off their maple trees making $35 million a year.
46. Virginia – Wheat
Virginia makes $113 million a year on wheat.
47. Washington – Apples
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, so people in Washington must be healthy. The top fruit of the state brings in $2.5 billion a year!
48. West Virginia – Apples
Rounding out the apple gang, West Virginia makes $23 million a year on apples.
49. Wisconsin – Wheat
As our 25th and final state producing wheat as the top crop, Wisconsin profits $622 million a year on wheat. Can you believe half the states have a top crop of wheat!
50. Wyoming – Beans
Last, but not least, Wyoming produces beans as their top crop making $37 million a year.
Hopefully you were able to find your state and learn what the top product is! Knowing where your food comes from can help you buy local, which supports farmers and keeps the agriculture industry going!
All sources for profit come from this website.