Louisiana Agriculture: Sugarcane, Seafood & Supply Chains
Why Louisiana agriculture matters
Louisiana sits at the intersection of fertile delta soils and world-class river and gulf ports. That combination makes the state a leader not only in growing and harvesting, but also in moving America’s grain to global markets. From two-harvest rice fields to crawfish ponds and commercial timberlands, Louisiana’s farm economy touches food, feed, fiber—and logistics.
Snapshot: the essential facts
- Top crop: sugarcane — 500,000+ acres; regularly the #1 sugar-producing state.
- Aquaculture leader — crawfish grossing $300M+; plus oysters and farm-raised alligator.
- Port power — home to the nation’s largest, most valuable agricultural ports, exporting 50%+ of U.S. grains worldwide.
- Value leaders — forestry leads ag value, followed by sugarcane, poultry, corn, soybeans, cattle, and rice.
- Rice advantage — ratoon cropping (a second harvest) extends the growing season; many rice fields rotate to crawfish the following year.
- Specialty crops — strawberries, citrus (including satsumas), and sweet potatoes.
From numbers to impact: how Louisiana’s farm economy shows up
Food
Sugar, rice, seafood, citrus, strawberries, and sweet potatoes fuel grocery aisles and restaurants nationwide. Processing (mills, refineries, peeling & packing) and cold-chain logistics amplify local value.
Feed
Corn and soybeans contribute to poultry and cattle systems across the region. By-products from sugarcane refining and rice milling also find feed and soil applications.
Fiber & forest products
Forestry is the state’s top ag value driver. Timberlands support mills, paper, packaging, and wood products—anchoring thousands of skilled jobs in rural communities.
Ports & exports: America’s grain gateway
Linked Mississippi River and Gulf facilities in Louisiana handle over half of U.S. grain exports in a typical year. That reliability matters for farmers from the Corn Belt to the Plains—moving crops efficiently lowers costs across the food system.
What makes Louisiana rice different
With ratoon cropping, farmers can produce a second rice harvest from the same field in a single year. That efficiency, paired with rotations into crawfish, keeps fields productive, diversifies income, and supports year-round employment.
The human side: farms, fisheries, and forestry towns
From multi-generation cane farms and rice-crawfish operations to oyster leases and logging crews, Louisiana agriculture is community-rooted. Local spending on equipment, diesel, ice, maintenance, trucking, and dock services keeps small businesses humming.
Support the producers behind these numbers
Farm Bureau membership is a simple way to back Louisiana’s farm, ranch, and fishing families. Members help advance commonsense ag policy, strengthen rural communities, and expand classroom resources. Benefits may vary by state program.
What membership supports:
- Advocacy — a grassroots voice on water, land, markets, and transportation.
- Education — ag-in-the-classroom, scholarships, and leadership programs.
- Community — parish Farm Bureaus, service projects, and local events.
Join Louisiana Farm Bureau: https://lafarmbureau.org
Not in Louisiana? Find your state Farm Bureau: https://www.fb.org/about/get-involved
Through our partnership with the Louisiana Farm Bureau, we’re proud to support Louisiana farmers with tools designed for real-world operations. As part of this partnership, Louisiana Farm Bureau members receive exclusive Gripp pricing, helping operations digitize records, streamline daily work, and stay audit-ready—without adding complexity.
Learn more about Farm Bureau pricing:
https://www.gripp.ag/farm-bureau