What Does North Carolina Grow? Top Crops & Agricultural Products
North Carolina's diverse climate—coastal plain, Piedmont, mountains—supports a remarkably wide range of agriculture. The state consistently ranks in the U.S. top 10 for multiple commodities. Here's what the Tar Heel State grows.
Top Field Crops (by Value & Acreage)
| Crop |
National Rank |
Key Regions |
Uses |
| Tobacco (Flue-cured & Burley) |
#1 (Flue-cured), #2 (Total) |
Coastal Plain, Piedmont |
Cigarettes, smokeless, export |
| Soybeans |
Top 10 |
Coastal Plain, Piedmont |
Oil, meal, biodiesel, feed |
| Corn (Grain & Silage) |
Top 15 |
Statewide |
Feed, ethanol, food products |
| Wheat (Soft Red Winter) |
Top 10 |
Coastal Plain, Piedmont |
Flour, baked goods, feed |
| Cotton |
Top 10 |
Coastal Plain |
Textiles, cottonseed oil |
| Peanuts |
#5 |
NE Coastal Plain |
Peanut butter, snacks, oil |
| Sweet Potatoes |
#1 |
Coastal Plain (Nash, Wilson, Johnston) |
Fresh, processing, export |
Leading Specialty & Horticultural Crops
- Apples: #7 nationally. Henderson, Wilkes, Alexander counties (mountains). 20+ varieties.
- Blueberries: #6–#8. SE Coastal Plain (Bladen, Pender, Sampson). Highbush & rabbiteye.
- Strawberries: #3–#4. Piedmont & Sandhills. Annual plasticulture system.
- Grapes / Wine: 200+ wineries. Muscadine (native), Vinifera (mountains/foothills). Yadkin Valley AVA.
- Tomatoes (Fresh Market): Top 5. Sandhills, Piedmont.
- Cucumbers (Pickling & Fresh): Top 3. Coastal Plain.
- Watermelons & Cantaloupes: Significant. Coastal Plain.
- Peppers (Bell & Specialty): Growing sector. Greenhouse & field.
Animal Agriculture (Major Revenue Drivers)
- Hogs / Pork: #2–#3 nationally. Duplin, Sampson, Bladen counties. Major export.
- Poultry (Broilers & Turkeys): #2–#3 broilers; #2 turkeys. Wilkes, Union, Anson counties.
- Cattle (Beef & Dairy): Statewide. Dairy declining; beef cow-calf dominant.
- Eggs: Top 10.
Emerging & Niche
- Industrial Hemp: Rapidly expanding post-2018 Farm Bill.
- Specialty Mushrooms, Herbs, Microgreens: Urban/peri-urban farms.
- Agritourism: U-pick, corn mazes, wineries, farm stays.
Economic Impact
- Total Farm Cash Receipts: ~$12–14B/year.
- Ag & Agribusiness: ~$95B economic impact, 700K+ jobs (1 in 6).
- Exports: ~$4B/year (pork, tobacco, poultry, soy, cotton).
From the sweet potato fields of the Coastal Plain to the apple orchards of the Blue Ridge, North Carolina's agriculture is as varied as its landscape—rooted in tradition, branching into innovation.
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