feed facts

Animal Food Manufacturers Vital to US Economy

Across America, nearly 5,650 animal food manufacturing facilities produce millions of tons of livestock, poultry and aquaculture feed and pet food annually, providing animals with safe and adequate nutrition while supporting an abundant U.S. food supply. 

About the Study

In 20213, the American Feed Industry Association worked with  Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS), an economic research and analysis firm, to quantify how vital the animal food industry is to the U.S. economy. DIS analyzed economic data from a variety of sources to forecast an overall picture of the entire animal food manufacturing industry’s contribution to the U.S. economy in 2023. 

Results

DIS estimated that in 2023, the total animal food industry would generate $267.1 billion in total sales, including approximately $98.4 billion in value-added revenue. The industry would directly employ over 80,000 employees, paying out $6.9 billion in salaries and employee benefits. To indirect industries, these figures grew much higher to roughly supporting nearly 760,000 total jobs and $55 billion in labor income. At the local, state and national levels, DIS estimated the industry would file $18.5 billion in total taxes in 2023.  

The report showed that six states consistently ranked at or near the top of all reported economic measures: California, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Texas. Each of these states are home to anywhere from 18 pet food manufacturers in Iowa to 59 in Pennsylvania, and from 132 animal feed mills in California to nearly 650 in Texas. Together, the animal feed and pet food manufacturers in these six states contributed $103.5 billion in total sales and $7.2 billion in taxes. 

Learn more about the industry’s economic impact in your state and congressional district.

Resources

Questions

For more information, contact afia@afia.org