Crop Production Industry Profile

The US crop production industry includes about 1 million farms with combined annual revenue of more than $140 billion. Major companies include Dole Food Company, Chiquita Brands International, and Sunkist Growers. Some segments are concentrated, but as a whole, the industry is fragmented: 10 percent of companies account for 40 percent of revenue.

Global crop production revenue exceeds $1 trillion. The US and China are among the top crop producers. Large companies outside the US include Fresh Del Monte Produce (headquartered in Cayman Islands); Total Produce (Ireland); and Amaggi Exportação e Importação (Brazil).

Crop farming is the growing and harvesting of field crops such as grain, oilseeds, tobacco, dry beans, potatoes, vegetables and melons, fruits and nuts, and floriculture.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by federal agricultural policy programs, food consumption trends, and the grain and oilseed export market. The profitability of individual companies depends on maximizing crop yield and minimizing disease risk. Large companies have advantages in highly automated technologies and access to the latest in seed and crop technologies. Small operations can compete effectively by harvesting heirloom, non-genetically modified (GM), or specialty products.

Total US agricultural product exports total around $50 billion; imports are around $20 billion. Exports are driven by the $25 billion export market for grains and oilseed. The US produces over 40 percent of the world's corn and 20 percent of all oilseeds. China and Japan are the ...