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Agribusiness

From crops to timber and livestock to fisheries, Louisiana’s diversified agribusiness industry maintains a long tradition as a staple of the state’s economy. 

$13

Billion

Annual economic impact from agricultural production

90
Percent

of US Crawfish supply comes from Louisiana waterways

1 Billion
Pounds

of seafood caught in Louisiana annually for commercial sale

$11
Billion

Forest industry economic impact

$13

Billion

Annual economic impact from agricultural production

90
Percent

of US Crawfish supply comes from Louisiana waterways

1 Billion
Pounds

of seafood caught in Louisiana annually for commercial sale

$11
Billion

Forest industry economic impact

Agribusiness Advantages Abound in Louisiana

With nearly 30,000 farms spanning 8 million acres, the state’s leading crops are cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, rice and corn. Louisiana ports ship 60% of America’s grain.

Poultry, cattle and calves are the leading livestock components in the state’s agriculture sector. Poultry farming is concentrated in north central Louisiana. Cattle are raised throughout the state. Dairy farming is the leading source of farm income in the areas surrounding the urban centers of southeastern Louisiana.

Louisiana’s fisheries produce 25% of the nation’s seafood. One out of every 70 jobs in Louisiana is related to the seafood industry, which as a whole has an economic impact of over $2.4 billion annually for the state. Nearly one million pounds of seafood are caught each year in Louisiana – the second-highest national total after Alaska.

Annually, the state’s commercial fishermen are responsible for more than 40% of the entire nation’s domestic shrimp and 70% of its oysters. Louisiana leads the nation in crawfish production, supplying 100 to 120 million pounds per year. Crawfish production contributes more than $300 million to the state’s economy annually.

Forestland occupies 14 million acres of the state, which is 51% of the total land area of Louisiana. The industry primarily produces lumber and plywood and also the manufacturing of wood pulp and paper. 

In recent years, Louisiana’s agribusiness sector has become an important contributor to the transition to clean energy by providing feedstocks – wood pellets, sugar cane bagasse and soybean – for renewable fuels and electricity.

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Louisiana’s Blooming Agricultural Talent

The state’s rich agricultural history, when joined with higher education, ensures companies in the agribusiness industry have access to a highly skilled labor pool.

Louisiana State University

The state’s flagship university, Louisiana State University (LSU), is one of the few land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant universities in the nation. Many faculty members at the university’s College of Agriculture are jointly appointed with the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station or the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service. Close proximity to these experts is an asset to agribusiness.

Community and Technical College Programs

Coupled with research university curricula, community and technical college programs provide Louisiana’s agribusiness workforce with strong skills, background and expertise. Louisiana universities already have strong connections to agribusiness sectors. Seventeen university-run research stations located throughout the state conduct groundbreaking research and offer economic resources to companies.

Industry Spotlight

Cargill

A U.S. global food corporation with salt processing facilities in Louisiana, Cargill utilizes the region’s mineral deposits to create agricultural and industrial products. Upgrades in the Acadiana Region speak to the region's skilled workforce, resources and logistical advantages.

LaSalle Lumber

A central Louisiana wood processing facility and sawmill, LaSalle Lumber works to process and maintain the region’s millions of acres of farmland. Partnered with LaSalle BioEnergy, they contribute to sustainable forestry and global renewable energy markets.

Success Stories

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Browse Certified Sites

Louisiana Economic Development’s Certified Sites program boasts a strong commitment to shovel-ready business investment and a rigorous prequalification process. By declaring a site’s readiness for development, potential investors are made comfortable knowing that much of the startup work has already been taken care of. 

Thrive with Louisiana Business Incentives

Louisiana offers highly competitive incentives to attract, grow and retain agribusiness operations throughout the state. In particular, the state’s Quality Jobs program provides up to a 6% cash rebate of annual gross payroll for new, direct jobs that meet minimum qualifications, for up to 10 years.

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