Agriculture and Food Processing
Ohio's agriculture and food processing industry represents all elements of food processing and production.
Links and Industry Data
NAICS |
111 Crop Production |
| 112 Animal Production | |
| 113 Forestry and Logging | |
| 311 Food Processing |
Ohio Agriculture and Food Processing Snapshot
Ohio Food Processing and Packaging Brochure
Ohio Department of Agriculture
Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT)
Productivity Solutions at NA2010
In April 2010, Cleveland, Ohio will host the Material Handling and Logistics Show (NA 2010), featuring over 400 of the top material handling and logistics providers in the world. Educational conferences will offer industry expertise on the latest supply chain innovations in over 60 educational sessions.
If you are looking for solutions to improve customer service, reduce costs and to make your supply chain work more productively and profitably, register today for NA 2010.
Contact Us
Ohio Sales Manager - Matt McQuade
(614) 857-0900 ext. 231
The Agriculture and Food Processing Industry in Ohio is a diverse sector that includes farming, seed supply, agrichemicals, farm machinery, wholesale and distribution, processing, marketing and retail sales. Ohio's strategic location between the grain belt and Eastern markets brings together all of the elements that comprise food production and underlies Ohio's strength in food processing. The state’s 76,500 farms cover more than 14 million acres - nearly 55 percent of the total land area. Although responsible for only 2 percent of the nation's crop and livestock production, the state ranks 18th in value of total agricultural products sold. The state is also a leader in the specialized nutraceutical food production industry.
Ohio is also a leading manufacturer of key food and agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, specialty foods, Swiss cheese and eggs. Ohio is home to food industry leaders such as Kroger, J.M. Smucker, Honeybaked Foods Inc., Chiquita Brands International and Bob Evans Farms. Other key Ohio food processing firms include Worthington Foods/Kellogg's in Greater Columbus, General Mills, with the world's largest pizza plant in Wellston, and Nestle, which produces Stouffer products near Cleveland. Ohio's food and beverage manufacturing industry exports equal $25 billion annually.
Ohio currently ranks in the top five states in one-half of the food processing groups, first in the production of Swiss cheese and second in the production of tomatoes. The industry employs more than 60,000 workers at 1,106 plants. Ohio is also home to companies that manufacture food processing machinery, such as Hobart Corp., building synergy in this important industry.
Ohio's commercial and public food research institutions include commercial nutraceutical industry leaders such as Abbott Nutrition and institutions such as The Ohio State University's Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and Toledo's Center for Innovative Food Technology.
To learn more about Ohio's agribusiness sector, contact the Office of the Director at the Ohio Department of Agriculture, 1-800-282-1955.