Agricultural Export Summary
Since its early beginnings back in 1796, Tennessee has been gifted with beautiful, productive farmland and diverse forestland. As the state’s number one industry, agricultural and forestry products have always played an integral role in Tennessee's economy. With over 69,000 farming operations and fourteen million acres of forest, it’s clear why agriculture and forestry have such a significant impact on the world’s food and fiber supply chain. That’s why Tennessee means business when it comes to international marketing.
Tennessee products are enjoyed globally. In 2022, Tennessee ranked 18th in the United States for exports. Over the past five years, international exports for the state have increased to more than $2.6 billion, an increase of over 25 percent. Tennessee’s top export product categories include cotton, distilled spirits, bakery goods, cereals, & pasta, and forest products. Most recent data reflects that these top export products have a value of over $2.2 billion. Tennessee products can be found across the globe, with our largest international markets being China, Canada, Turkey, and the Netherlands. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture continues to invest in and emphasize the growth of agricultural and forestry products for export.
Tennessee is filled with great business leaders and creative entrepreneurs. With the stage set for global success, Tennessee is committed to working toward a vibrant, productive future for Tennessee agriculturalists and forest landowners.
Top Five Agricultural Exports, Estimates, FY 2022
| RANK | EXPORT | RANK AMONG STATES | VALUE MIL $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Cotton | 3 | 956.6 |
| 2nd | Distilled Spirits | 1 | 817.7 |
| 3rd | Bakery Goods, Cereals, & Pasta | 5 | 261.9 |
| 4th | Forest Products | 21 | 185.4 |
| 5th | Poultry Meat & Prods. (ex. eggs) | 12 | 156.4 |
| Total Agricultural Exports | 16 | 2,697.90 |
More information on agricultural exports:
State Export Data
Agricultural Trade Briefing Room
Tennessee is in the Top Ten Among States in the Following
| RANK | EXPORT | VALUE MIL $ |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Cotton | 956.6 |
| 1 | Distilled Spirits | 817.7 |
| 5 | Bakery Goods, Cereals, & Pasta | 261.9 |
| 7 | Dextrins, Peptones, & Proteins | 76.9 |
| 7 | Rice | 10.3 |
| 8 | Sugars & Sweeteners | 37 |
| 4 | Tobacco | 77.8 |
| 7 | Manufactured Tobacco | 8.9 |
Tennessee's Top Value-Added Agricultural Exports and Their Top Markets
| RANK | EXPORT | MARKETS | VALUE MIL $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Distilled Spirits | Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany | 817.7 |
| 2nd | Bakery Goods, Cereals, & Pasta | Canada, Mexico, Israel | 261.9 |
| 3rd | Poultry Meat & Prods. (ex. eggs) | Angola, Philippines, Canada | 156.4 |
| 4th | Soup & Other Food Preparations | Canada, Russia. Peru | 73.7 |
| 5th | Chocolate & Cocoa Products | Canada, Dominican Republic, Indonesia | 23.5 |
Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Business Development Division
PO Box 40627, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 837-5160