ST. LOUIS — A new study finds that agribusiness contributes $43 billion in total sales and 166,633 jobs to the St. Louis region. The economic impact study, sponsored by the St. Louis AgriBusiness Club, was conducted by Alan Spell of the University of Missouri Extension.
St. Louis continues to serve as the hub of American agriculture. Over 50% of U.S. agricultural production occurs within 500 miles of the St. Louis metro area.
The study reported that 12.8% of the St. Louis region’s total sales are from agribusiness and indirect sales and that 9.3% of the region’s jobs are directly related to agribusiness and indirect firms.
“The St. Louis region is emerging as a world leader in agribusiness and driving economic development,” said Matt Amick, president of the St. Louis AgriBusiness Club. “This study demonstrates St. Louis is uniquely positioned for growth with leading agribusinesses headquartered here and in close proximity to a majority of farms and food producers of America’s Heartland.”
Agribusiness industries within the bi-state, 14-county area include production agriculture and manufacturing and processing in the areas of animal food, human food, beverages, paper products, pharmacy and medicine and basic chemicals.
The St. Louis region is home to some of the largest agribusiness employers in the United States and world, including Bayer Crop Science, Bunge North America, Novus International and Nestle Purina Petcare. The American Soybean Association and the National Corn Growers Association also have their world headquarters in St. Louis.