Ag Nearly 20% Of Idaho’s Economic Output

Idaho agriculture is hitting record highs and driving a major share of the state’s economy.  A new report publish by the University of Idaho shows agribusiness generated $44.5 billion in annual sales in 2024, accounting for more than 17% of the state’s total economic output.

The study also found agriculture supports nearly 138,000 jobs statewide, that comes out to about one in every nine jobs.

U of I researchers say Idaho now ranks among the top five states for agricultural sales as a share of its economy, with ripple effects reaching everything from farm supplies to household spending.  Researchers add as Ag’s impact continues to grow other sectors expand alongside it.

“Our College of Agricultural and Life Sciences likes to take these reports to Boise when the Legislature is in session to make sure people understand the scope of agriculture in Idaho,” said Professor Phillip Watson said. “Agriculture is growing, and this is the largest contribution of agriculture into the Idaho economy in history.” 

Idaho leads the nation in production of several commodities, including potatoes, barley, and trout — and ranks near the top in others like hops, milk, and cheese. 

“Agriculture is a very large part of the Idaho economy, and it’s connected to so many other parts of the Idaho economy,” Watson said. “It’s not just cows and plows and farms and potato chip companies. It’s woven into the economy in very deep ways.” 

Idaho agricultural exports to foreign countries remained steady from 2022 at about $2.8 billion. A primary reason for the lack of export growth is that Idaho’s food processing capacity has grown significantly in recent years, and a larger share of Idaho’s food commodities is now processed within the state.

“Idaho’s farm sector used to be much larger than the processing sector, and that has changed within the past five years, which is a really good thing for Idaho,” Watson said. “Rather than shipping out our raw milk and our raw potatoes, we are now capturing more of that added value in the state by processing them here. I think it’s showing a maturing agricultural industry.”

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