University of Idaho report highlights agriculture’s economic impact over past year | Idaho News

IDAHO — A new report from the University of Idaho revealed that agriculture is driving record annual sales of $44.5 billion in the state.

The study, conducted by Professor Philip Watson, highlighted that agriculture accounts for over 17% of Idaho’s economy. The industry employs more than 130,000 workers, translating to approximately one in nine jobs in the state.

Idaho ranks among the nation’s top five states for agricultural sales as a percentage of the economy. The state also leads the country in producing crops like potatoes and barley. Watson noted a significant shift in the industry, with more food being processed within Idaho rather than being shipped out, indicating a stronger and more mature agricultural sector.

Watson, a professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, emphasized the growth of agriculture in the state.

“Agriculture is growing and this is the largest contribution of agriculture into the Idaho economy in history,” Watson said.