Agriculture in South Carolina
With more than 22,600 farms and 4.6 million acres of farmland, South Carolina is driven by agriculture. Agribusiness (agriculture + forestry) is the state’s No. 1 industry, accounting for 259,215 jobs and $51.8 billion in annual economic impact.
South Carolina’s Top Agricultural Commodities
- Broilers — $1.54 billion
- Turkeys— $1 billion
- Corn— $280 million
- Soybeans— $219 million
- Cotton— $186 million
- Eggs— $180 million
- Cattle and Calves— $174 million
- Peaches— $142 million
- Sod— $105 million
- Peanuts— $65 million
Sources: 2022 Census of Agriculture (USDA NASS); Information from Cash Receipts by State, Commodity Ranking and Share of U.S. Total, 2022 (USDA ERS); the Economic Impact of Agribusiness in South Carolina (Von Nessen, 2022)
National Fruit & Vegetable Production Rankings
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About the Department
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture was established in 1879 to oversee and promote agriculture in the Palmetto State. With services as diverse as food safety inspections, entrepreneurship development, and the Certified South Carolina branding program, we help the state’s farmers and agribusinesses grow and prosper.
Mission
The mission of the South Carolina Department of Agriculture is to promote and nurture the growth and development of South Carolina’s agriculture industry and its related businesses while assuring the safety and security of the buying public.
