Ag Study: Agribusiness Powers More Than 176,000 Jobs in St. Louis

• April 02, 2026

Key Takeaways:

• According to a study from the St. Louis AgriBusiness Club, the sector contributes $25.7 billion in GDP, accounting for 10.8% of the St. Louis metropolitan area economy.
• Agribusiness employs 176,088 people across the region, with 9,455 jobs added since 2019, highlighting steady growth across agriculture, food manufacturing, logistics, and related services.
• The region’s proximity to the majority of U.S. corn and soybean production makes it a strategic hub for companies focused on food production, ag innovation, and global supply chains.

Agriculture has long been a defining strength of the St. Louis region, but an economic study by the St. Louis AgriBusiness Club shows the sector’s impact is even greater and continues to grow.

According to the study, agribusiness contributed $25.7 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) to the St. Louis metropolitan area economy in 2024. That represents 10.8% of the region’s total GDP, up from 10.3% in 2019, highlighting the expanding role of agriculture and food production in the regional economy.

The sector is also a major source of employment. In 2024, agribusiness supported 176,088 jobs across the St. Louis metro area, an increase of 9,455 jobs since 2019. Today, nearly one in ten jobs in the region is connected to the agribusiness ecosystem.

These jobs span a wide range of industries, from farming and food manufacturing to agricultural inputs, research, logistics, and supply chain services. Together, they form a highly integrated regional cluster that connects agricultural production with global food and agriculture markets.

While farming remains foundational, the study shows that the broader agribusiness value chain drives much of the region’s economic impact. Agricultural inputs, services, and related industries represent a large share of jobs and economic output, while food and agricultural processing manufacturers add significant value to the regional economy.

Indirect economic activity also plays a major role. Supplier networks and employee spending generate billions of dollars in additional economic output and support tens of thousands of jobs throughout the metro area. This ripple effect demonstrates how agribusiness fuels growth across multiple sectors, from transportation and manufacturing to finance and technology.

The St. Louis region’s geographic location strengthens its role as a global agribusiness hub. Situated near the center of the United States’ agricultural heartland, the region is within 500 miles of the majority of U.S. corn and soybean production, making it an ideal location for companies focused on food, agriculture, and agricultural innovation.

As global demand for food continues to rise, the strength of the St. Louis agribusiness ecosystem positions the region to play an even greater role in the future of agriculture. With world-class research institutions, global agribusiness companies, and proximity to America’s most productive farmland, St. Louis remains a powerful driver of agricultural innovation and economic growth.