Agriculture Fuels Illinois’s Economy
July 11, 2024

Agriculture is a main driver in Illinois’s economy. The state’s prime farmland, its proximity to top tier manufacturing, and its expansive river and rail infrastructure creates a vibrant space for financial capacities.
Ranking second in corn production, Illinois’s golden commodity has much to offer its state.
- Illinois is ranked fifth nationally in overall agricultural production.
- In Illinois, over 11M acres of corn were harvested in Illinois in 2023.
- 1.9 M jobs in Illinois are from the agricultural industry.
- Illinois ships 1/3, or approximately 18 million metric tons, of U.S. corn to foreign markets every year. This is approximately 116% of Japan’s total imports of corn in the 23/24 marketing year.
- Illinois exported $78.7 billion in international sales.
- 1 out of 10 dollars generated in the state comes from agriculture.
- Illinois food and agribusiness account for more than $462 Billion in economic output for the state.
- Overall, corn growers were responsible for a $151 billion boost to the U.S. economy in 2023, reports National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Lead Economist Krista Swanson.
- NCGA reports Illinois corn farming contributed over $20.9M to United States economy.

By American Craft Spirits Association
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August 21, 2025
The Farmer-Distiller: Best Bourbon resulted in a numerical tie, with two distilleries sharing the honor. Queens Reserve, a product of Wood Hat Spirits in Florence, Missouri scored identically to Bloody Butcher Bourbon, which is produced by Pathfinder Farm Distillery in Boonsboro, Maryland.