Maine’s Top 5 Most Valuable Crops

Although some people might think Maine is limited when it comes to farming due to its position far north, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact. Maine is responsible for growing a wealth of different crops and exporting them to places all across America. Let’s discuss five of the most valuable crops exported from the state of Maine and explore their annual value.

1. Blueberries

Anyone who is familiar with Maine knows that this state is huge on wild blueberries. In fact, according to Maine.gov, “Maine grows 10% of all blueberries and nearly 100% of all
wild blueberries (low-bush) in the United States … 485 farms grow and harvest blueberries on over 39,000 acres across Maine—primarily in Washington County and other coastal counties.” For many, it’s absolutely no surprise that Maine is an industry leader for this crop. Compared to blueberries harvested in other areas of the United States, Maine’s blueberries have a more complex flavor which people gravitate towards. The blueberry yield in 2021 was valued at roughly 80 million dollars. However, drought has affected production in 2022 and 2023, causing profit margins to drop. Despite this, blueberries are still one of Maine’s most valuable crops.

2. Potatoes

Potatoes are another crop that the state of Maine is famous for. The potato farming industry is just as prolific as the blueberry industry, and Maine ranks in the top 10 potato-producing states in America. According to Maine.gov, “The total impact of the potato industry on Maine’s economy is 540 million dollars in sales, 6,100 jobs, over 230 million dollars in personal income, and over 32 million dollars in state and local taxes.” Although Idaho is the number one potato producer in the United States currently, Maine used to hold this title until 1957. In fact, these two states had a short rivalry for the crown. Despite Maine’s best efforts, it was clear to the public that Idaho had the superior product. However, potatoes are still an incredibly value crop that Maine continues to export large amounts of annually.

3. Apples

Let’s be honest, there are few things more beautiful than apple orchards in Maine. Residents of this state look forward to apple-picking season every year, and so do the farmers! This crop brings in quite a bit of revenue. According to the Maine Pomological Society, “Eighty-four farms produce about one million bushels of apples each year on 2000 acres. The average size of an apple orchard in Maine is 20 acres, with some being smaller than one acre and the largest growing apples on 320 acres.” If we estimate that each acre brings in roughly $30,000 in revenue, then the apple industry in Maine is worth roughly 60 million dollars. In fact, according to Maine.gov, apples were one of the most prominent crops during the 2023 growing season.

4. Hay

For many people, hay isn’t a crop we think about often. However, this is a dietary staple for many different livestock, making it essential in many families across America. Because of this, demand in the hay industry is always high, and Maine has capitalized on that. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Maine produced roughly 227,000 tons of hay during 2022. At $177 per ton, this makes the total value of this crop about 46.6 million dollars. Animals such as horses, cattle, and goats all rely on hay to survive. Within Maine, the livestock industry is another booming sector. Although much of the hay grown here is exported, much of it is bought by other farms within the state.

5. Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is a staple food in many American households. Although Canada is responsible for roughly 80% of the production of this sweet syrup, Maine is also an industry leader. In 2022, this state produced about 681,000 gallons of maple syrup, which gives the yearly yield a mind-blowing value of roughly 22.1 million dollars. While the most popular use for this crop is to drizzle over pancakes or waffles, maple syrup is also used in salad dressing, homemade confections, meat marinade, or as a sweetener for coffee and tea. With so many uses, it’s no surprise many households go through it like water. Luckily, Maine is here to supply the masses for a long time.

Summary Table Of Maine’s Top 5 Most Valuable Crops

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