What is the #1 Manufacturing Activity in Illinois?

Thanks to its vast fertile farmland, both the agriculture and food processing industries are strong and well developed in Illinois.  Agriculture generates more than $8 billion annually mainly in the production of corn, soybeans, and pigs.  The food processing industry is the #1 manufacturing activity in the State with a value of $14 billion per year.

Also, Illinois is the location of some of the largest food trade fairs in the country such as the annual Food Marketing Institute and National Restaurant Association shows held at the McCormick Place in Chicago.  Linked with the food processing industry is a thriving food processing equipment industry.  In fact, Illinois the top state in the country for sales of food processing equipment. 

• Number of employees: 120,000
• Number of food manufacturing companies: 1,300
• Value of the food processing industry: $14 billion
• Value of the processing equipment industry: $2.7 billion