The Top 10 Most Valuable Crops Harvested in North Carolina

North Carolina is covered in fertile soil and dotted with over 2,000 farms, with a heavy concentration in the eastern part of the state. Crops account for around 30% of farm cash receipts, and North Carolina ranks high in agriculture for many items, including poultry, hogs, trout, tobacco, and much more. Check out the 10 most valuable crops harvested in North Carolina and learn about their production, yield, and value. 

1. Soybeans

North Carolina harvested 1.69 million acres of soybeans in 2022 for a value of production of $949,949,000. Soybeans are the most significant row crop in the state, with most of its acreage located in the coastal plain in Eastern North Carolina. However, farmers plant this crop in all 100 counties of the state. While North Carolina is not the top producer of soybeans, it was the leading state for this crop between 1900 and 1920. 

2. Corn

The state harvested 785,000 acres of corn (grain) for a value of $726,989,000 in 2022. Corn makes up around 5.5% of farm cash receipts and is primarily grown in the coastal plains of the state. North Carolina yields an average of 144 bushels per acre but can produce as much as 250 bushels per acre.  

3. Tobacco

North Carolina harvested 116,160 acres of tobacco in 2022 and produced $524,349,000. While tobacco production has declined by 28% in North Carolina, the crop still accounts for 3.3% of its farm cash receipts. In fact, the state is number one in the country for tobacco. Most tobacco is produced in the coastal plains and the northern Piedmont counties.   

4. Cotton

Upland cotton accounted for 460,000 harvested acres, yielding 1,049 pounds per acre. This cotton harvest produced $437,760,000 in 2022. Most of the cotton in the state is grown in the eastern regions by commercial growers and accounts for 2.2% of farm cash receipts. North Carolina is part of the Cotton Belt and is a top producer in the country. 

5. Sweet Potatoes

North Carolina is known for its sweet potatoes, and for good reason. The state harvested 83,700 acres of sweet potatoes in 2022 for a value of $225,005,000. The crop accounts for around 3% of total sales in farm income for the state. North Carolina is the number one state for sweet potato production, making up 63% of the market.

6. Wheat

This Southeast state harvests 375,000 acres of wheat, yielding 64 bushels an acre. For a total of 24 million bushels in 2022, North Carolina produced $201,600,000. Wheat accounts for one percent of the total farm income of the state, where it’s grown in the coastal plain, tidewater, and Piedmont regions. 

7. Hay

North Carolina harvested 656,000 acres of hay in 2022, yielding 2.21 tons per acre and producing $198,440,00. Hay accounts for 0.6% of agricultural income in the state and high-quality alfalfa is often produced. Most hay crops do well in all parts of the state. While hay is still a major crop in the state, North Carolina is not a top producer in the country. 

8. Peanuts

Out of the 117,000 acres planted, farmers harvested 116,000, for a total of 4,400 pounds per acre. Out of the 510 million pounds produced, North Carolina made a total of $135,766,000 in 2022. Peanuts account for 0.8% of the state’s total farm income, and North Carolina is the fifth-largest producer in the Southeast for this crop. In fact, it specializes in aesthetic peanuts for cocktail snacking.

9. Blueberries

Blueberries make up 0.4% of agricultural income in North Carolina, harvesting 7,500 acres and producing $69,650,000 in 2022. North Carolina is regularly among the top five producers of blueberries in the county, where it’s concentrated to commercial production in the southeast region of the state. 

10. Watermelons

Out of the 7,700 acres planted, North Carolina harvested 7,600 acres of watermelon in 2022, producing $56,016,000 for the year. Watermelon accounts for 0.4% of the total farm income for the state, and most are grown in the coastal plains and the northeast region of the state. North Carolina ranks 8th in the county for watermelon production.

A Recap of the 10 Most Valuable Crops Harvested in North Carolina