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South Carolina

State Quick Facts

Population
5,373,555​

Total State GDP
$297,546,300,000

State Land Area (Acres)
19,239,040

Land in Forest (Acres)
12,816,906

Land in Forest
67%

Land in Farms (Acres)
4,600,000

Land in Farms
24%

Number of Farms
22,600

Average Farm Size (acres)
204

Farm Real Estate Value (per acre) 
$4,000

Agricultural Cash Receipts 
$3,654,815,000

Cash Receipts from Crops 
$1,545,393,000

Cash Receipts from Animals 
$2,109,422,000

Top Ag. Commodities

Broilers
$1,593,486,000 ​

Miscellaneous Crops
$428,563,000

Corn
$294,406,000

Soybeans
$224,876,000

Cotton Lint, Upland
$207,397,000

Top Ag. Exports

Other Plant Products
 $264,680,273

Cotton
 $255,608,193

Broiler Meat
 $130,818,735

Soybeans
 $119,786,687

Corn
 $60,894,225

South Carolina Economic Contribution and Impact Research

In 2022, South Carolina generated around $3.7 billion in agricultural cash receipts with the highest valued commodities being broilers, miscellaneous crops, and corn. That same year, the value of South Carolina’s agricultural production and processing industries represented 3.4 percent of total state GDP. Some of the dollars generated by these industries end up being re-spent within the local economy, bringing additional value to the state through “multiplier effects.” Economic impact and contribution studies measure these effects, which can be broken down into direct, indirect, and induced economic effects.

Websites, reports, fact sheets, and articles related to the economic impacts and contributions of South Carolina’s food, fiber, and forest industries can be found below.

Websites:

Information related to South Carolina’s food, fiber, and forest industries can be found by visiting the following website(s):

 

South Carolina Economic Contribution and Impact Research

In 2015, South Carolina generated more than $2.4 billion in agricultural cash receipts with the highest valued commodities being broilers, cattle and calves, and miscellaneous crops. That same year, the value of South Carolina’s agricultural production and processing industries represented 4.5 percent of total state GDP. Some of the dollars generated by these industries end up being re-spent within the local economy, bringing additional value to the state through “multiplier effects.” Economic impact and contribution studies measure these effects, which can be broken down into direct, indirect, and induced economic effects.

Websites, reports, fact sheets, and articles related to the economic impacts and contributions of South Carolina’s food, fiber, and forest industries can be found below.

Research Documents of South Carolina 2021- Fact Sheet- Meat Fuels America, 2016
Research Documents of South Carolina 2021- Fact Sheet- Poultry Feeds America, 2020
Research Documents of South Carolina 2020- Fact Sheet- Feeding the Economy, 2019
Research Documents of South Carolina 2018 – Fact Sheet – The Animal Feed and Pet Food Manufacturing Industry is Crucial to American Agriculture, Economy
Research Documents of South Carolina 2017 – Report – Economic Contribution Analysis of South Carolina’s Forestry Sector
Research Documents of South Carolina 2017 – Fact Sheet – AFPA State Industry Economic Impact
Research Documents of South Carolina 2017 – Fact Sheet – South Carolina Forestry Commission Impact
Research Documents of South Carolina 2016 – Report – Economic Analysis of Animal Agriculture 2005-2015
Research Documents of South Carolina 2016 – Report – South Carolina Forest Products: Industry Export Report, 2016
Research Documents of South Carolina 2016 – Fact Sheet – Forestry Facts and Figures by the Numbers
Research Documents of South Carolina 2015 – Report – Economic Impact Analysis of South Carolina’s Forestry Sector, 2015
Research Documents of South Carolina 2015 – Report – Forest Products: Industry Export Report
Research Documents of South Carolina 2015 – Fact Sheet – Forestry’s Impact by the Numbers
Research Documents of South Carolina 2015 – Fact Sheet – State of South Carolina’s Forests by the Numbers
Research Documents of South Carolina 2015 – Fact Sheet – AFPA State Economic Impact
Research Documents of South Carolina 2014 – Fact Sheet – The State of South Carolina’s Forests
Research Documents of South Carolina 2014 – Fact Sheet – South Carolina Forest Industry Facts

*At present, there is no universally agreed upon standard methodology for producing economic impact or economic contribution reports.  Please exercise caution when viewing and comparing reports as each may vary significantly in terms of source data and analysis and reporting methodology.