Beyond its stunning natural landscapes, Arkansas feeds and fuels America as an agricultural powerhouse, producing nearly half the nation's rice and processing billions of pounds of poultry annually.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Arkansas rice production reached 1.07 billion pounds, accounting for 49.2% of total U.S. rice production.
- Arkansas ranked first nationally in rice acreage with 1.19 million acres harvested in 2022.
- The average rice yield in Arkansas was 7,442 pounds per acre in 2022.
- The Arkansas food and beverage manufacturing employment stood at 28,500 workers in 2022.
- Food manufacturing employed 18,200 people in Arkansas with average wage $45,000 in 2022.
- Beverage manufacturing jobs in Arkansas totaled 4,300 in 2022, up 3% from 2021.
- Arkansas Sales of Food Manufacturing reached $28.4 billion in 2021.
- Beverage manufacturing sales in Arkansas totaled $3.2 billion in 2021.
- Arkansas poultry products sales hit $15.7 billion in 2022.
- Arkansas contributed $14.2 billion to state GDP from food/bev in 2021.
- Food and beverage manufacturing accounted for 8.5% of AR manufacturing GDP 2022.
- Poultry industry generated $12.5 billion economic impact in AR 2022.
- Arkansas food exports grew 7.5% to $3.4 billion in 2022.
- Poultry exports from Arkansas reached $2.8 billion in 2022.
- Arkansas rice exports totaled 500 million pounds valued at $350 million 2022.
Beyond its famous rice and poultry, Arkansas's food and beverage sector is a dynamic and expanding economic engine, driving innovation and creating jobs across the state as we move into 2026.
Economic Contribution
1Arkansas contributed $14.2 billion to state GDP from food/bev in 2021.
Verified2Food and beverage manufacturing accounted for 8.5% of AR manufacturing GDP 2022.
Verified3Poultry industry generated $12.5 billion economic impact in AR 2022.
Verified4Arkansas rice industry economic multiplier effect: 2.8 jobs per direct job.
Directional5Food processing taxes paid: $450 million to AR state/local in 2021.
Single source6Beverage sector contributed 1.2% to AR GDP at $1.8 billion in 2022.
Verified7Arkansas food supply chain supported 120,000 jobs worth $5.6 billion wages.
Verified8Agribusiness including food/bev added $22 billion to AR economy 2021.
Verified9Tyson Foods operations contributed $4.3 billion to AR GDP in 2022.
Directional10Arkansas catfish industry economic impact: $350 million annually.
Single source11Food mfg value added: $7.9 billion or 4.1% of AR GDP 2021.
Verified12Craft brewing economic impact: $620 million with 4,200 jobs in AR.
Verified13Arkansas exports of food products totaled $3.1 billion in 2022.
Verified14Food/bev investments attracted $1.2 billion FDI to AR in 2022.
Directional15Poultry multipliers generated $1.50 indirect impact per $1 direct sales.
Single source16Arkansas dairy economic footprint: $2.1 billion including suppliers.
Verified17Food retail contributed $2.4 billion in taxes and wages to AR 2021.
Verified18Beverage distributors economic impact: $1.5 billion in AR 2022.
Verified19Arkansas wine industry generated $180 million economic activity 2022.
Directional20Food processing expansions created $850 million economic ripple 2022.
Single source21Arkansas food/bev R&D spending: $120 million annually.
Verified22Poultry processing taxes: $320 million to AR economy 2022.
Verified23Arkansas rice exports supported $1.4 billion economic activity.
Verified24Food service industry GDP share: 3.2% or $6.1 billion in AR 2021.
DirectionalEconomic Contribution Interpretation
Arkansas' food and beverage sector is a formidable economic engine, proving that the state's real bread and butter isn't just in the fields but in the billions it contributes through everything from chicken coops to craft brews.
Employment and Labor
1The Arkansas food and beverage manufacturing employment stood at 28,500 workers in 2022.
Verified2Food manufacturing employed 18,200 people in Arkansas with average wage $45,000 in 2022.
Verified3Beverage manufacturing jobs in Arkansas totaled 4,300 in 2022, up 3% from 2021.
Verified4Poultry processing employed 22,000 Arkansans in 2023.
Directional512,500 workers in Arkansas rice milling and processing in 2022.
Single source6Food scientists and technologists numbered 850 in Arkansas food sector in 2022.
Verified7Arkansas had 5,200 quality control inspectors in food manufacturing in 2022.
Verified83,100 packaging machine operators employed in Arkansas bev/food in 2022.
Verified9Labor force in Arkansas agriculture-food supply chain was 95,000 in 2021.
Directional10Average hourly wage for Arkansas food batchmakers was $17.50 in 2022.
Single source112,400 bakers and baking supervisors in Arkansas in 2022.
Verified12Arkansas saw 1,200 new food/bev jobs from expansions in 2022.
Verified1315% of Arkansas manufacturing workforce is in food/beverage sector.
Verified14Women comprised 42% of food manufacturing employees in Arkansas 2022.
Directional15950 meat processing workers trained via Arkansas programs in 2022.
Single source16Turnover rate in Arkansas poultry plants was 65% in 2022.
Verified177,500 forklift operators in Arkansas food warehouses 2022.
Verified18Arkansas food sector apprenticeships enrolled 450 workers in 2022.
Verified19Unemployment rate for food mfg workers in AR was 3.8% in 2022.
Directional201,100 butchers and meat cutters employed in AR food industry 2022.
Single source21Arkansas beverage sector added 300 jobs via craft breweries in 2022.
Verified224,200 industrial truck drivers in AR food distribution 2022.
Verified23Food processing safety training reached 10,000 AR workers in 2022.
Verified24650 food scientists with advanced degrees in AR 2022.
Directional25Arkansas food mfg overtime hours averaged 5% above national in 2022.
Single source262,900 first-line supervisors in AR food/bev mfg 2022.
VerifiedEmployment and Labor Interpretation
While the state's dinner plate runs on a massive and growing engine of 95,000 workers, from scientists ensuring our safety to poultry plants churning through staff at a dizzying 65% rate, it's clear Arkansas feeds America with a mix of robust growth and the raw, challenging labor that underpins it.
Production and Output
1In 2022, Arkansas rice production reached 1.07 billion pounds, accounting for 49.2% of total U.S. rice production.
Verified2Arkansas ranked first nationally in rice acreage with 1.19 million acres harvested in 2022.
Verified3The average rice yield in Arkansas was 7,442 pounds per acre in 2022.
Verified4Arkansas produced 1.15 billion pounds of broilers in 2021, representing 2.5% of U.S. total.
Directional5Tyson Foods processed over 2.2 billion pounds of chicken in Arkansas facilities in 2022.
Single source6Arkansas catfish production totaled 234 million pounds in 2022, second highest in the U.S.
Verified7Arkansas had 145,000 acres of soybeans harvested in 2022, yielding 5.2 million bushels.
Verified8The state produced 12.4 million gallons of milk from 47,000 dairy cows in 2022.
Verified9Arkansas grape production was 18,500 tons in 2021 across 1,200 acres.
Directional10In 2020, Arkansas commercial pecan production reached 3.5 million pounds.
Single source11Arkansas processed 1.2 billion pounds of tomatoes for juice in 2021.
Verified12The state had 2,500 acres of strawberries producing 28,000 tons in 2022.
Verified13Arkansas sweet potato production was 450,000 hundredweight from 4,200 acres in 2021.
Verified14In 2022, 850 Arkansas farms produced organic products worth $15 million.
Directional15Arkansas wheat production hit 28.5 million bushels from 650,000 acres in 2022.
Single source16The state brewed 1.2 million barrels of beer in 2022 from 25 craft breweries.
Verified17Arkansas distilled spirits production volume was 500,000 proof gallons in 2021.
Verified18Poultry processing plants in Arkansas output 40 million birds weekly in 2023.
Verified19Arkansas rice milling capacity exceeds 1.5 billion pounds annually.
Directional20The state processed 300 million pounds of frozen poultry products in 2022.
Single source21Arkansas beverage manufacturing output grew 5.2% to $2.1 billion in 2021.
Verified22120 Arkansas wineries produced 250,000 cases of wine in 2022.
Verified23State sorghum production was 4.2 million bushels from 120,000 acres in 2022.
Verified24Arkansas egg production totaled 3.8 billion eggs in 2022.
Directional25The food processing sector produced $12.5 billion in value added in 2021.
Single source26Arkansas had 15 major soft drink bottling plants producing 1 billion liters yearly.
Verified27Corn production in Arkansas reached 112 million bushels in 2022.
Verified2845 Arkansas bakeries produced 500 million pounds of baked goods annually.
Verified29State meat processing output was 1.8 billion pounds in 2022.
Directional30Arkansas dairy processing plants handled 1.1 billion pounds of milk in 2021.
Single sourceProduction and Output Interpretation
While Arkansas may not boast an ocean coastline, it has certainly mastered the art of turning its rich earth and hard work into a staggering bounty that feeds the nation, proving it’s far more than just a poultry powerhouse by also reigning as America's rice king, a catfish contender, and a surprisingly spirited producer of everything from sweet potatoes to craft beer.
Sales and Revenue
1Arkansas Sales of Food Manufacturing reached $28.4 billion in 2021.
Verified2Beverage manufacturing sales in Arkansas totaled $3.2 billion in 2021.
Verified3Arkansas poultry products sales hit $15.7 billion in 2022.
Verified4Rice milling sales revenue was $2.1 billion for Arkansas in 2021.
Directional5Arkansas dairy product sales amounted to $1.8 billion in 2022.
Single source6Craft beer sales in Arkansas reached $450 million in 2022.
Verified7Arkansas frozen food sales totaled $4.5 billion in 2021.
Verified8Bakery product sales in state were $1.2 billion in 2022.
Verified9Arkansas meat processing sales revenue: $10.3 billion in 2021.
Directional10Soft drink and bottled water sales: $1.9 billion in AR 2022.
Single source11Arkansas wine sales from local producers: $35 million in 2022.
Verified12Catfish farming sales revenue reached $120 million in 2022.
Verified13Arkansas snack food sales: $850 million in 2021.
Verified14Poultry export-related sales contributed $8.2 billion in 2022.
Directional15Arkansas food wholesale sales volume: $22 billion in 2021.
Single source16Retail grocery sales in Arkansas: $18.5 billion in 2022.
Verified17Distilled spirits sales revenue: $250 million in AR 2022.
Verified18Arkansas canned food sales: $1.1 billion in 2021.
Verified19Prepared meal sales grew 12% to $3.4 billion in 2022.
Directional20Arkansas juice and nonalcoholic beverage sales: $420 million 2022.
Single source21Food service sales in AR restaurants: $9.2 billion in 2022.
Verified22Arkansas organic food retail sales: $1.3 billion in 2021.
Verified23Poultry further processing sales: $6.8 billion in 2022.
Verified24Arkansas bread and cake sales: $650 million in 2022.
Directional25Bottled water sales surged 8% to $310 million in AR 2022.
Single sourceSales and Revenue Interpretation
Clearly, in Arkansas, the poultry industry rules the roost, but there's plenty of bread, booze, and bottled water on the table to go with it.
Trade and Exports
1Arkansas food exports grew 7.5% to $3.4 billion in 2022.
Verified2Poultry exports from Arkansas reached $2.8 billion in 2022.
Verified3Arkansas rice exports totaled 500 million pounds valued at $350 million 2022.
Verified4Soybean exports from AR ports: 1.2 million metric tons in 2022.
Directional5Arkansas catfish exports hit $45 million primarily to Asia in 2022.
Single source6Food preparations exports: $420 million from Arkansas in 2021.
Verified7Arkansas wine exports grew 15% to $12 million in 2022.
Verified8Poultry meat exports to Mexico: $1.1 billion from AR 2022.
Verified9Arkansas bakery exports: $85 million to Canada and EU 2022.
Directional10Beverages non-alcoholic exports: $28 million from AR in 2022.
Single source11Arkansas tree nuts exports including pecans: $22 million 2022.
Verified12Processed fruits exports from AR: $65 million in 2021.
Verified13Arkansas corn exports for food use: 15 million bushels 2022.
Verified14Dairy product exports: $18 million from Arkansas facilities 2022.
Directional15Arkansas snack food exports surged 10% to $110 million 2022.
Single source16Beer exports from AR craft brewers: $5.2 million in 2022.
Verified17Poultry further processed exports: $950 million in 2022.
Verified18Arkansas sorghum exports: 2.8 million bushels valued at $14 million 2022.
Verified19Frozen poultry exports peaked at 450,000 tons from AR 2022.
Directional20Arkansas food prep exports to China: $75 million in 2022.
Single sourceTrade and Exports Interpretation
Arkansas isn't just feeding America; it's plating up a global banquet where poultry reigns supreme, rice and soybeans are loyal side dishes, and even the snacks, sips, and farm-to-table pecans are finding enthusiastic appetites worldwide.
Sources & References
- Reference 1NASSnass.usda.govVisit source
- Reference 2ERSers.usda.govVisit source
- Reference 3TYSONFOODStysonfoods.comVisit source
- Reference 4BREWERSASSOCIATIONbrewersassociation.orgVisit source
- Reference 5TTBttb.govVisit source
- Reference 6ARKANSASEDCarkansasedc.comVisit source
- Reference 7USA-RICEusa-rice.comVisit source
- Reference 8CENSUScensus.govVisit source
- Reference 9BEAbea.govVisit source
- Reference 10ARKANSASarkansas.comVisit source
- Reference 11BEVINDUSTRYbevindustry.comVisit source
- Reference 12IBISWORLDibisworld.comVisit source
- Reference 13USDAusda.govVisit source
- Reference 14BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 15DATAdata.bls.govVisit source
- Reference 16AGRICULTUREagriculture.arkansas.govVisit source
- Reference 17ARKANSASECONOMICDEVELOPMENTarkansaseconomicdevelopment.comVisit source
- Reference 18ARKANSASCAPSTONEarkansascapstone.comVisit source
- Reference 19LABORlabor.arkansas.govVisit source
- Reference 20OSHAosha.govVisit source
- Reference 21NCSESncses.nsf.govVisit source
- Reference 22ARKANSASWINEarkansaswine.orgVisit source
- Reference 23CATFISHFARMERScatfishfarmers.comVisit source
- Reference 24THEPOULTRYSITEthepoultrysite.comVisit source
- Reference 25STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 26NPDnpd.comVisit source
- Reference 27RESTAURANTrestaurant.orgVisit source
- Reference 28OTAota.comVisit source
- Reference 29NATIONALCHICKENCOUNCILnationalchickencouncil.orgVisit source
- Reference 30BOTTLEDWATERbottledwater.orgVisit source
- Reference 31UAEXuaex.uada.eduVisit source
- Reference 32ARKANSASTAXarkansastax.govVisit source
- Reference 33USCATFISHuscatfish.orgVisit source
- Reference 34TRADEtrade.govVisit source
- Reference 35USDAIRYusdairy.comVisit source
- Reference 36FMIfmi.orgVisit source
- Reference 37NABOBnabob.orgVisit source
- Reference 38POULTRYALLIANCEpoultryalliance.comVisit source
- Reference 39USARICEusarice.comVisit source
- Reference 40AQUAaqua.isa.orgVisit source
- Reference 41WINEBUSINESSwinebusiness.comVisit source
- Reference 42APPSapps.fas.usda.govVisit source
- Reference 43FASfas.usda.govVisit source
- Reference 44SNACKFOODWORLDsnackfoodworld.comVisit source
- Reference 45GRAINSgrains.orgVisit source