North Carolina Farm Income Reached 20 Billion in 2025
The state ranked eighth nationally for agricultural income during the 2025 calendar year.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Agriculture
Live Poll
Are rising production costs for farmers likely to make household food costs harder to manage?
North Carolina generated $20 billion in inflation-adjusted gross farm income in 2025. This performance placed the state eighth in national rankings for farm income.
Why it matters
Understanding state-level agricultural output provides a gauge for regional economic health and production capacity. These figures reflect the significant scale of the agricultural sector relative to national spending trends.
North Carolina earned $20 billion in gross farm income in 2025, securing the eighth spot nationally. Across the United States, total farm production expenses reached $486 billion.
The players
USDA
The United States Department of Agriculture is the federal agency responsible for developing and executing laws related to farming, forestry, and food.
The details
The USDA tracked these income and spending figures to provide an overview of the agricultural economy. While gross income for the state reached the $20 billion milestone, farmers faced significant nationwide production costs throughout the year.
Timeline
The income and expenses were recorded for U.S. farming throughout 2025.
Projections for farm expenses and net income changes were set for 2026.
Market Landscape
This performance data aligns with the long-term cycle defined by the USDA annual agricultural production expense reports. The sector remains subject to broader shifts in operating costs that dictate annual net returns for producers.
Consumers may see fluctuations in food pricing as production costs are projected to rise by 4.5 percent in 2026. The expected 5.5 percent decrease in net farm income could also influence local supply chain investments.
The takeaway
Agricultural income remains sensitive to the balance between gross production and rising operational expenses. Producers and stakeholders should prepare for the anticipated tightening of net margins in the coming year.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's rural economy in the Agriculture section.
Live Poll
Are rising production costs for farmers likely to make household food costs harder to manage?
