HOW IMPORTANT IS AGRICULTURE?
In the U.S., the agriculture and agri-food industry represents roughly five percent of GDP, and is responsible for roughly 24 million jobs when you consider everything from growing the food to selling it at the local supermarket. In Canada, the agriculture and agri-food industry generates eight percent of the GDP. It also employs nearly 2.1 million people, or approximately one out of every eight Canadians. Agriculture remains a central component of Canada’s economy. TRADE SUPPORTS LOUISIANA’S FAMILIES Canada’s population is slightly less than the population of the state of California, but the face of agriculture remains the same for both Canada and the United States. Both in Canada and the United States, 98 percent of farms are family operations. Louisiana produces agricultural products that are exported worldwide. Louisiana’s farm cash receipts were $2.3 billion in 2006, and its agricultural exports worldwide were estimated at $641 million in 2006. Agricultural exports help boost farm
