Agriculture in South Carolina
With nearly 25,000 farms and 4.8 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
- Turkeys
- Corn
- Cattle & Calves
- Soybeans
- Cotton
- Chicken Eggs
- Peanuts
- Floriculture
- Tobacco
Sources: Census of Agriculture (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2017); USDA Economic Research Service; The Economic Impact of Agribusiness in South Carolina and the Certified South Carolina Grown Campaign (Von Nessen, 2020)
National Fruit & Vegetable Production Rankings
#1
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#7
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#2
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#8
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#5
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#9
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#6
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#10
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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.
