10 Most Valuable Crops Grown in Michigan

Stacker compiled a list of the most valuable crops produced in Michigan using data from the US Department of Agriculture.

MICHIGAN—There are more than 2 million farms in the United States, about 98% of which are operated by families, individuals, family partnerships, or family corporations, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. About 86% of all agricultural products in America are produced on family ranches or farms. A single farm feeds an average of 166 people per year, both in the US and abroad.

Even so, farming is a mere sliver of the US economy, representing just 1% of America’s GDP—farm and ranch families make up less than 2% of America’s population. More African Americans are operating farms now than ever before, likewise for Hispanic and Latino farm operators. One in four farmers are beginning farmers, a term that represents those with fewer than 10 years in agriculture work—their average age is 46. About 11% of US farmers served or are serving in the military.

The US is projected to export a record $191.0 billion agricultural products in 2022. Stacker compiled a list of the most valuable crops grown in Michigan using data from the US Department of Agriculture state agriculture overview. Crops are ranked by total annual value of production as of July 16, 2022.

10. Squash

Annual production: $40.2 million

Top states:

1. California ($44.7 million)
2. Michigan ($40.2 million)
3. Florida ($35.3 million)
4. New York ($30.5 million)
5. Georgia ($23.2 million)

9. Cucumbers

Annual production: $52.5 million

Top states:

1. Florida ($94.9 million)
2. Michigan ($52.5 million)
3. Georgia ($34.8 million)
4. North Carolina ($29.6 million)
5. California ($24.0 million)

8. Cherries

Annual production: $58 million

Top states:

1. Washington ($476.4 million)
2. California ($322.3 million)
3. Oregon ($67.1 million)
4. Michigan ($58.0 million)
5. Utah ($8.5 million)

7. Blueberries

Annual production: $82.5 million

Top states:

1. Washington ($228.4 million)
2. California ($223.5 million)
3. Oregon ($171.7 million)
4. Georgia ($103.7 million)
5. Michigan ($82.5 million)

6. Apples

Annual production: $213.3 million

Top states:

1. Washington ($2.2 billion)
2. New York ($344.7 million)
3. Michigan ($213.3 million)
4. Pennsylvania ($129.6 million)
5. Oregon ($66.5 million)

5. Potatoes

Annual production: $230.5 million

Top states:

1. Idaho ($1.0 billion)
2. Washington ($793.1 million)
3. Wisconsin ($378.5 million)
4. North Dakota ($247.9 million)
5. California ($232.3 million)

4. Wheat

Annual production: $281.2 million

Top states:

1. Kansas ($2.4 billion)
2. North Dakota ($1.8 billion)
3. Montana ($832.3 million)
4. Washington ($739.6 million)
5. Oklahoma ($736.3 million)

3. Hay & Haylage

Annual production: $608 million

Top states:

1. Texas ($1.7 billion)
2. Wisconsin ($1.3 billion)
3. California ($1.2 billion)
4. Idaho ($1.1 billion)
5. Colorado ($1.0 billion)

2. Soybeans

Annual production: $1.5 billion

Top states:

1. Illinois ($8.9 billion)
2. Iowa ($8.1 billion)
3. Minnesota ($4.7 billion)
4. Nebraska ($4.4 billion)
5. Indiana ($4.4 billion)

1. Corn

Annual production: $1.9 billion

Top states:

1. Iowa ($13.9 billion)
2. Illinois ($11.8 billion)
3. Nebraska ($10.0 billion)
4. Minnesota ($7.5 billion)
5. Indiana ($5.6 billion)

This article has been re-published pursuant to a CC BY-NC 4.0 License.