Highlights

The vegetable industry in Georgia is one of agriculture’s most diverse and fastest growing sectors. The vegetable industry production and processing generated a total economic impact of $2.1 billion and supported close to 18 thousand jobs in 2007. For the first time, the fruit and vegetable industry was included in the 2008 Farm Bill, entitled Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 under Title X: Horticulture and Organic Agriculture. This inclusion will boost vegetable production and sales in particular and the industry at large. Nationally, the vegetable industry production area has dropped, 3.5% in 2006 and 3.6% in 2007. Conversely, crop value increased 18.4%. Georgia ranks among the top four states for fresh market vegetable area harvested, production, and value. Vegetable production is showing an increase due to a shift in vegetable production from Florida to Georgia because of the more favorable agribusiness environment. The Agribusiness environment in Georgia does not face as strict environmental regulations and land costs as our neighboring state. Onions, sweet corn, watermelons, bell peppers and cucumbers continue to Georgia’s vegetable production. Primary production areas start at the Florida line and run northward, practically stopping before Macon. Our sandy loam soils and irrigation capabilities give south Georgia a unique competitive advantage for growing vegetables. As these vegetable “raw materials” continue to increase, we can expect to attract more value added and food processing facilities in Georgia.

(Information paraphrased from The Center for Agribusiness & Economic Development 2009 Georgia Ag Forecast, University of Georgia College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences)