Ohio is one of the most productive agricultural states in the country, generating $15.4 billion in farm cash receipts in 2022 and ranking 11th nationally. Across roughly 73,600 farms covering 13.5 million acres, the state produces everything from soybeans and corn to eggs, dairy, maple syrup, and wine grapes.
Soybeans and Corn Lead by a Wide Margin
Soybeans are Ohio’s single largest agricultural commodity, bringing in $4.2 billion in 2022 and accounting for 27.5% of the state’s total farm revenue. Ohio ranks fifth in the nation for soybean production, harvesting around 252 million bushels per year. Most of these beans are processed into animal feed, cooking oil, and biodiesel, though a growing share goes into plant-based food products.
Corn follows closely at $3.7 billion, or 24% of total receipts, making Ohio the eighth-largest corn-producing state. Annual production runs around 566 million bushels. Ohio corn ends up in livestock feed, ethanol, corn syrup, and a long list of processed foods. Together, soybeans and corn represent more than half of all agricultural revenue in the state.
Eggs: Ohio’s Biggest Animal Product
Ohio ranks second in the nation for egg production, turning out more than 10 billion eggs every year. Egg sales generated nearly $1.9 billion in 2022, making them the state’s third most valuable commodity overall. The poultry industry is concentrated in the western and northwestern parts of the state, where large-scale operations supply eggs to grocery chains and food manufacturers across the Midwest and East Coast.
Dairy, Hogs, and Cattle
Dairy products brought in $1.4 billion in 2022, placing Ohio 12th nationally. The state’s dairy farms are spread across rural counties, with significant clusters in Wayne, Mercer, and Darke counties. Ohio produces fluid milk, cheese, butter, and ice cream, and its dairy output feeds both local processors and national brands.
Hog farming adds another $1 billion in annual revenue, ranking Ohio ninth among states. The pork industry here supplies both fresh cuts and processed products like bacon and sausage. Ohio also maintains a cattle inventory of about 1.24 million head, supporting beef production alongside the dairy sector. These five commodities alone, soybeans, corn, eggs, dairy, and hogs, account for nearly 80% of Ohio’s total agricultural revenue.
Maple Syrup and Specialty Crops
Ohio produced 96,000 gallons of maple syrup in 2024, ranking eighth nationally. Sugar maple trees in the northeastern and southeastern hill country are tapped each spring, and the syrup is sold at farm stands, farmers markets, and through local retailers. It’s a small segment compared to field crops, but it’s a distinctive part of Ohio’s food identity.
The state also grows a range of fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes (Ohio has historically been one of the top tomato-processing states), sweet corn, apples, strawberries, and peppers. Greenhouse and nursery crops, while not all food-related, round out a diverse agricultural landscape.
Wine and Grapes
Ohio has 323 wineries, 144 of which grow their own grapes on-site. The industry supports more than 1,600 full-time jobs and draws an estimated 2.3 million visits per year from both in-state and out-of-state visitors. Vineyards are concentrated along the Lake Erie shore, where the lake moderates temperatures enough to support grape cultivation, and in the Ohio River Valley in the southeastern part of the state.
Food Manufacturing and Processing
Ohio doesn’t just grow food. It processes enormous quantities of it. Northeast Ohio alone is home to more than 300 food manufacturing companies, including operations from PepsiCo, Heinz, Nestlé, J.M. Smucker, and Pillsbury. The state’s central location, trained workforce, access to raw agricultural ingredients, and abundant fresh water make it a natural hub for food processing. Smucker’s, headquartered in Orrville, is perhaps the most iconic Ohio-based food brand, producing jams, peanut butter, and coffee products that are sold nationwide.
This combination of large-scale crop farming, significant livestock operations, and a dense network of food manufacturers means Ohio plays a role in the American food supply that extends well beyond its borders. Much of what the state produces is processed locally and shipped to tables across the country.