The economic impact of the agriculture and forest industries in Virginia is widespread and extends far beyond the farms and forest plantations where most agricultural and forestry commodities are grown and harvested. These two industries employ a large number of Virginians and are comprised of a complex network of interrelated processes and industries. Beyond the production activities at farms and timber tracts, the agriculture and forest industries encompass a range of processing and manufacturing industries that include food and beverage processing, agricultural-fiber related textile and apparel manufacturing, wood products manufacturing, pulp and paper mills, and furniture manufacturing.

This 2022 study looks at the widespread impact of the forestry and agriculture industries on Virginia’s economy. Relative to the state economy, agriculture industry impacts represent approximately 7.4% of Virginia’s GDP and the forest industry represents 1.9%. However, Virginia agriculture and forest industries affect every other industry in the commonwealth to some degree.