Shortly before the annual Census of Agriculture scheduled for this week, the United States Department of Agriculture completed its analysis of commodity production and sales data for 2022. On Wednesday, the department released final rankings from highest to lowest for commodities in both the entire U.S. and individual states, with the region’s cattle and dairy industry, along with cotton and other crops, bringing in big numbers for the state and nation.
Despite slight changes in production for most commodities in the recent season (2023-24), with increases seen in crops like corn and sorghum and decreases in others like cotton and sunflowers, it is expected that commodity rankings for the state of Texas will closely mirror those of the previous year — the most recent data available.
In 2022, the state contributed a total of $29.78 billion across 39 commodities, marking the highest cumulative cash receipts since 2014. This comes despite the reduction in the number of commodities, down from 50, reported that year.
These were the 10 lowest and highest ranked agricultural commodities in Texas, based on cash receipts, in 2022.
Lowest ranked commodities (worst to best)
Lowest: Wool
With approximately $1.887 million in 2022, wool stands as the state’s lowest-ranked commodity. On a national scale, the commodity ranks No. 93 of 100 — surpassing spearmint oil, macadamia nuts, apricots, mustard seed, papayas, rapeseed and mohair. It contributed about $33.907 million, nationally.
38. Mohair
Bringing in approximately $2.835 million to the state in 2022, mohair earned the second-lowest commodity ranking in Texas. Nationally, the commodity holds the last position at No. 100, contributing about $3.304 million to the country’s agricultural cash receipts.
37. Oranges
Totaling approximately $3.769 million in 2022 state cash receipts, oranges ranked third from lowest in Texas. Nationally, the commodity holds the 29th ranking out of 100, contributing about $1.529 billion to the nation’s total agricultural cash receipts.
36. Rye
With approximately $4.563 million in state cash receipts, rye secured the 36th ranking out of 39 commodities in Texas in 2022. Nationally, it contributed approximately $105.565 million to the total agricultural cash receipts of the country, landing at No. 78 of 100 commodities.
35. Farm chickens
Just above rye, farm chickens generated $4.871 million in state cash receipts in 2022 — roughly 37% less than the immediately higher-ranked commodity, oats. In the Texas ranking, they hold the 35th position out of 39. Nationally, farm chickens are positioned at 86 out of 100, contributing approximately $74.667 million to the total U.S. agricultural cash receipts.
Highest ranked commodities (worst to best)
Together, the top five commodities in Texas accounted for $26.672 billion in state cash receipts and $219.478 billion in U.S. agricultural cash receipts in 2022.
5. Chicken eggs
Chicken eggs held a prominent position among Texas’s top commodities, ranking No. 5 and contributing $1.180 billion to the state’s cash receipts. On a national scale, this commodity secured the 8th spot out of 100, generating $19.352 billion in cash receipts across the country.
4. Cotton, upland
In Texas, upland cotton claimed the title of the state’s leading crop, securing the 4th position among commodities and contributing $2.530 billion to the state’s cash receipts. However, on a national level, this commodity ranks lower at No. 13 out of 100, generating $6.642 billion in cash receipts across the country.
3. Broilers
Securing the third position, broilers yielded $4.180 billion in state cash receipts in 2022. On a national scale, broilers hold the 5th spot out of 100 commodities, making a substantial contribution of around $50.445 billion to the overall U.S. agricultural cash receipts.
2. Dairy products, milk
Landing second in Texas and fourth nationally, dairy products generated approximately $4.223 billion in state cash receipts and $57.252 billion in cash receipts across the nation.
Best: Cattle and calves
Claiming the top spot in Texas and the No. 2 seed nationally, only below corn, cattle brought in a substantial $11.557 billion to state agricultural cash receipts in 2022, nearly tripling the dairy industry. Nationally, cattle and calves cash receipts fell less than $1 billion below, generating $86.055 billion across the country.
For a comprehensive list of all rankings, visit the USDA NASS website.
