The Economic Importance
of Agriculture Series
This brochure is one of a series of
publications from the Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development.
The goal of these brochures is to inform Georgians of the essential role
agriculture plays in the economy.
Others in the series include:
∗
Economic Importance of Food and
Fiber Production and Processing
∗
Poultry and Eggs
∗
Row and Forage Crops
∗
Livestock and Aquaculture
∗
Ornamental Horticulture
∗
Forestry and Related Products
∗
Fruits and Nuts
O t he r
Inc o m e
6 .2 %
F o re s t ry &
P ro duc t s
6 .4 %
O rna m e nt a l
H o rt ic ult ure
7 .4 %
P o ult ry &
E ggs
4 2 .4 %
Row &
F o ra ge
C ro ps
14 .5 %
V e ge t a ble s
8 .0 %
The University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state
cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers
educational programs, assistance and materials to all people
without regard to race, color, national origin, age, gender or
disability. An equal opportunity/affirmative action organization
committed to a diverse work force.
Scott Angle, Dean and Director
Food and Fiber Production Value
Georgia, 2006
F ruit s &
N ut s
3 .0 %
The Center for Agribusiness
and Economic Development is a unit
of the College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences,
combining the missions of research
and extension.
Economic
Importance
of Vegetables
in Georgia
Liv e s t o c k
& A qua c ult ure
12 .2 %
Total Farm Gate Value = $10.4 billion
Source: 2006 Georgia Farm Gate Value Survey
Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development
John C. McKissick, Director
The Lumpkin House, Athens, GA 30602
Phone: 706-542-0760
Fax: 706-542-8934
Email: caed@agecon.uga.edu
To access this brochure series as well as other data related
to Georgia and its counties, visit our websites at:
www.caed.uga.edu
www.georgiastats.uga.edu
Brochure Series 07-05
Center for Agribusiness and
Economic Development
“Adding Value to Georgia’s
Agricultural Economy
Through Research and Extension”
OUTPUT IMPACT
Georgia’s
Vegetable
Industry
EMPLOYMENT IMPACT
⇒ Vegetable industry producers and processors
create direct sales of $1.089 billion.
The vegetable industry in Georgia is one of agricul-
⇒ These sales, in turn, generate additional sales
ture’s most diverse and fastest growing sectors.
in the state economy, creating another $763
Vegetables are often considered high value-per- acre
million of indirect economic impact.
crops. Recent increases in the number of acres
Economic Impact Due to
Vegetable Industry in Georgia, 2006
grown in vegetables has led to more packing sheds
and processing lines being built in Georgia.
$3
C a bba ge
P e ppe rs 3 . 8 %
10 . 7 %
Z uc c hini
2 .3 %
C a nt a - C uc um lo upe
be rs
7 .3 %
5 . 3 % E ggpla nt
1. 2 % G re e ns
7 .9 %
O k ra
0 .2 %
Wa t e r m e lo n
13 . 4 %
T o mato
6 .8 %
S we e t
C o rn
6 .7 %
S qua s h
3 .3 %
S o ut he rn
P eas
1. 3 %
O nio ns
15 . 9 %
O t he r
V e ge s
S na p 8 . 0 %
B e a ns
5 .9 %
$2
Billions of Dollars
Vegetable Farm Gate Value by Percent
Georgia, 2006
$1.089
16,000
D ir ect
Ind ir ect
T o t al
total economic impact of $1.852 billion for the
State of Georgia.
7,986
6,242
0
Ind ir ect
T o t al
⇒ A total of 14,227 jobs are created due to the vegetable industry in Georgia.
$0-$10,000
•Georgia’s climate favors vegetables, often allowing for both spring and fall plantings.
$3-$15 million
•Among all states, Georgia ranks in the top four
for fresh market vegetable area harvested, production, and value. (NASS, USDA)
4,000
D ir ect
$10,000-$200,000
•Eighteen individual vegetable commodities had
farm gate values in excess of $10 million in
2006.
14,227
12,000
8,000
⇒ Vegetable industry production generates a
•Vegetable production had a total farm gate
value of $828 million in 2006.
•Onions and watermelon value of production
ranked in the Top 20 of all Georgia commodities in 2006.
ble industry) provides an additional 6,242 jobs. This
group includes those who provide supplies and services to the vegetable industry, such as containers
and truck transportation. Increased wage spending
creates jobs in other sectors, such as retail sales and
health services.
$0.763
2006 Vegetables Farm Gate Value by County
GEORGIA VEGETABLE FACTS:
⇒ Indirect employment (those relying on the vegeta-
Employment Due to Vegetable Industry
Georgia, 2006
$1
$0
ers and processors directly
employ 7,986 workers in
Georgia which include fulltime and part-time jobs.
$1.852
$2
$1
⇒ Vegetable industry produc-
$200,000-$3 million
$15-$141 million
STUDY METHODOLOGY
⇒ This study used an
input-output model
called IMPLAN to
determine the effects
of the vegetable industry in Georgia.
⇒ Data used came from
IMPLAN as well as
from the 2006 Farm Gate Value Report. Production
includes the major industrial sectors included in this
series. Processing includes all industries which rely
directly on the production of agricultural products in
Georgia.