Study Shows Iowa Pork Industry is Vital to State’s Economy

January 15, 2025

Iowa’s hard working pig farmers are a vital component of the state’s economy, as shown by a new study released by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. The data verifies Iowa’s status as the number one pork producing state in the nation, providing 33% of the U.S. hog inventory, and creating more than 120,000 jobs.

Providing Jobs, Economic Activity

Iowa’s 5,172 pig farms help create more than 64,000 jobs in the state from hog production, more than 39,000 from hog slaughter, and more than 16,000 from hog processing, totaling 120,231. The pork industry contributed $15.4 billion in value added to Iowa’s economy in 2024.

Iowa Pork Industry Economic Contribution By the Numbers:

  • $15.4 billion in value added to the state’s economy.
  • More than 120,000 jobs supported statewide.
  • $8.0 billion in household income.
  • $40.5 billion in total sales.
  • More than $2.7 billion in taxes paid.

Breakdown of $15.4 billion in value added:

  • $9.9 billion from hog production.
  • $3.9 billion from hog slaughter.
  • $1.5 billion from hog processing.

"The pork industry is the backbone of Iowa’s agricultural economy, driving billions in economic impact, creating thousands of jobs, and feeding millions of people across the world,” said Matt Gent, a pig farmer from Wellman, IA who serves as president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association. “The work of pig farmers is essential to the strength and resilience of our communities and the future of American agriculture."

Pig farms with 2,000-4,999 head remain the most common in the state, comprising 31% of all pig farms in Iowa.

Iowa's hog cash receipts for 2023 totaled $9.328 billion, representing 34.3% of the U.S. hog cash receipts and 22.9% of Iowa's total cash receipts from all commodities. Hog inventory numbers set a record high in December 2023, with 25 million hogs on Iowa farms.

A Cycle of Sustainability

Iowa leads the nation in pork production for several reasons. The state’s pig farmers take pride in a rich heritage, building on generations of experience while embracing cutting-edge research and technology to produce pork that is nutritious, safe, and delicious. Additionally, Iowa’s abundant supply of essential feedstuffs makes it an ideal location for raising pigs efficiently.

A balanced pig diet contains energy and amino acids, which come from corn and soybean meal diets. From weaning to reaching market weight, an average pig eats 12 bushels of corn and 2.5 bushels of soybeans. Over the course of a year, Iowa pigs consume 2,272,856 acres of corn and 1,514,892 acres of soybeans. That means nearly one-eighth of Iowa’s row crops are marketed for nearby use, thus reducing the cost of grain transportation.

Hog manure is invaluable to farmers as a sustainable and cost-effective fertilizer that enriches soil with essential nutrients, improving crop yields while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. It helps farmers efficiently manage waste, enhance soil health, and create a self-sustaining cycle by fertilizing crops used to feed their livestock, maximizing farm productivity and environmental stewardship.

Benefiting Local Communities

The top five Iowa counties in hog inventory are Washington, Sioux, Lyon, Plymouth, and Hardin counties. Washington, Sioux and Lyon counties each have more than 1 million pigs. Hamilton, Lyon, Marshall, Plymouth, Sioux, Wapello, Washington, and Woodbury counties all have an estimated value-added contribution of more than $300 million from the pork industry. Value-added refers to the difference between the total revenue of an industry and the total cost of inputs, such as labor, materials, and services.

The pork industry remains central to Iowa’s agricultural and economic prosperity, affirming its leadership in the U.S. pork industry. The study was conducted by Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS) in 2024.  

A numerical breakdown of the key points of the study is available for your use at this link.