A new economic analysis released by the Meat Institute shows just how critical meat and poultry processing is to the U.S. economy, especially in rural communities that depend on the industry for jobs, tax revenue, and local investment.
According to the report, the meat and poultry processing sector directly contributes $57.3 billion in value to the national economy and supports nearly 584,000 jobs. When accounting for ripple effects across the supply chain — including livestock production, feed manufacturing, transportation, equipment, and other supporting industries — the total economic contribution climbs to $347.7 billion, supporting more than 3.2 million jobs nationwide.
“These companies are often the backbone of rural economies,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “Beyond providing stable, well-paying jobs, processors strengthen their communities through tax contributions, food donations, and investments in infrastructure, housing, childcare, and schools.”
The Meat Institute commissioned Decision Innovation Solutions to conduct the study.
Key findings
Meat and Poultry Industry Direct Contributions to the National Economy in 2025:
- $57.3 billion in value
- Nearly 584,000 jobs
- $40.6 billion in labor income
- $311.0 billion in total sales (output)
- $12.5 billion in local, state, and federal taxes
After accounting for these indirect and induced effects, the total economic contribution of the U.S. meat and poultry processing industry is:
- $347.7 billion in value
- More than 3.2 million jobs
- $205.3 billion in labor income
- $911.7 billion in total sales (output)
- $77.0 billion in local, state, and federal taxes
(Indirect and induced effects: The meat and poultry processing industry generates significant economic activity in other industries including livestock and poultry production, animal feed manufacturing, grain and oilseed production, truck and rail transportation, equipment manufacturing, and more.)
State and Congressional District Economic Contributions:
The report also estimates the economic contributions of the meat and poultry processing industry for each state and federal congressional district. While the meat and poultry processing industry drives some economic activity in every state and nearly every district, there are some areas where the industry’s impact is undeniably irreplaceable:
Top States: Texas, Nebraska, Iowa, Georgia, North Carolina, Kansas, California, and Arkansas.
Top Districts: Nebraska-3, Iowa-4, Texas13, Kansas-1, Minnesota-1, and Arkansas-3
