Kentucky's Foodprocessing Industry

Kentucky is a state where the food and kindred product industry thrives.
The state is a leading producer of beef cattle, hogs, dairy cows, soybeans and corn – and the countries No. 2 state in tobacco crops.

 The food and kindred products manufacturing industry represents a large portion of the U.S. manufacturing sector. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, this industry accounts for over 12% of the nation’s manufacturing gross domestic product (2005). This major group includes establishments manufacturing or processing foods and beverages for human consumption, and certain related products, such as manufactured ice, chewing gum, vegetable and animal fats and oils, and prepared feeds for animals and fowls.

In Kentucky, approximately 4.5% of the manufacturing jobs at about 185 manufacturers are in the food and kindred products industry, representing over 15% of manufacturing gross state product The combined economic impact – direct, indirect and induced – of the food and beverage industry generated an estimated $6.6 billion in value added to the Commonwealth’s economy.

 These companies might have viewed Kentucky as a favorable place of doing business because of the Commonwealth’s business climate, workforce, low business cost, central location or rich agricultural history.

 A.Camacho srl (Spain), Fromageries Bel (France), Perfetti Van Melle SpA (Italy) and the food giants Cadbury Schweppes Plc (UK), Nestle SA (Switzerland), Unilever (UK/Netherlands) or R. Wild GmbH (Germany) are among the European companies with Kentucky operations.

Back