US: S.C. agribusiness grows 23%
The $41.7 billion estimate is a 23 percent increase over an assessment of $33.9 billion derived from a 2008 report based on 2006 data. For consistency, both the 2008 and 2015 reports used the same approach and data sources.
After the release of the 2008 report, Weathers and the S.C. Forestry Commission set a goal for South Carolina agribusiness to reach $50 billion by 2020. Given the positive news announced by Haley, the 2020 benchmark now seems within easy reach.
According to the 2015 report, the Agribusiness Cluster — one of 10 major industrial clusters in South Carolina — is a combination of traditional agriculture, forestry, and food and wood processing. But it also encompasses an eclectic list of ancillary sectors, including greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production; canned and frozen specialty foods; bread and bakery products; pet and livestock feed manufacturing; and veterinary services.
According to the 2013 data, the total effect of agricultural activity rose to $24.8 billion, which is 48 percent higher than in 2006.
To download the full study, visit http://scagribusiness.org/agstudy.
Source: thetandd.com
