The Different Crops Grown In Texas

Texas produces much of the staple food consumed by the average American and is the leading state in the nation’s agriculture industry, generating $100 billion for the economy.

This blog post will provide information on how the agriculture industry in Texas contributes significantly to the United States economy, discuss what types of crops are grown in Texas, their annual production value, and their common uses. 

Why farming is so important to Texas’ economy

The agriculture industry is vital to the economy of Texas because it’s home to the nation’s largest farms, with the largest scale farming activities in the country. In fact, the state is 86% farmland. This means that every farmer in Texas supplies 155 people with food and fiber, making the state integral to food security.

Variance in temperature and differing weather conditions in sun and rain, no matter the season, allow Texas a prime climate for growing produce and raising livestock. The state provides its residents with a yield of fresh foods, livestock, and natural fibers while being pivotal for the national and international market.

Texas' booming agriculture industry builds a strong economy for the state, and for rural communities, it creates ample employment opportunities for farmers that may normally have limited options. 

Accordingly, Texas has the second lowest unemployment rate in the country and ranks second in gross domestic product (GDP). The USDA states that 14% of Texans become a farmer or work on a farm, of which 98.6% are family-owned.

The highest-value crops produced in Texas

Let’s discuss the most valuable crops in Texas, starting from the lowest annual production value.

Oats

Texas produces $11.93 million of oats annually, accounting for about 750,000 acres of farmland located in the southern and central regions of the state. 

This crop can be used to make oatmeal and is used in other foods on a consumer level. It’s also used as animal feed for cattle and calves.   

Spinach

Spinach uses 3,000 acres of Texan farmland, with an annual production value of $12.39 million. About two-thirds of the crop is sold fresh in the market, and the remaining third is used as an ingredient in other products.

Citrus

Almost all Texan citrus fruit grows in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, producing an annual revenue of $38 million. 

Orange and grapefruit together make up almost 90% of the citrus production in Texas. Grapefruit is so popular that it has been the official Texas state fruit since 1993.

Pecans

Pecans are a popular nut, with a production value of $47.66 million and an annual yield of 25.5 million pounds. 

Farmers today carry the traditions of Native Americans who first started harvesting pecans as part of their nutritious diet in prehistoric times. Today, they still remain a staple of many people’s diets, used for snacking, baking, and in meals. 

Watermelon

Watermelon is one of the largest crops grown in Texas, taking up 42,000 acres of space in 100 counties. Its annual production value is $84.86 million. 

Onions

The Texas 1015 Sweet Onion, the official state vegetable since 1997, can be found in the state’s Lower Rio Grande Valley or the High Plains. This onion variety thrives in the climate’s chilling period.

The total production value of onions is $90 million annually. 

Potatoes

Potatoes are among root crops like turnips, carrots, and beets that are a staple of any Texan’s diet. Their popularity leads to a $112.85 million annual production value. 

Texas is the fifth largest producer of sweet potatoes in the US, making this product the most-produced root vegetable in the state. 

Peanuts

Peanuts were once found only in South America, but they’re now a staple of the American diet. Used in processed products, as oil, and, of course, in peanut butter, this crop offers a wide variety of uses.

Valued at an annual production of $131.04 million, it’s no wonder this crop didn’t stay solely in South America for long.

Rice

Rice occupies 195,000 acres of land throughout 20 counties in the Texas Gulf Coast. Most of the rice produced is of the long grain variety in comparison to the short grain variety of brown rice. Texas exports rice nationally and internationally, giving this commodity an annual production value of $206.99 million. 

Wheat

Wheat’s annual value in Texas is $354.9 million, using over 6 million acres of the Rolling Plains, the High Plains, and the Central Blacklands. 

Much of the wheat grown in Texas feeds livestock and cattle. 

Corn

You can find corn grown across the United States, and it’s especially prominent in Texas. With an annual production value of $1.15 billion, it’s the state’s third largest crop behind cotton and hay. 

Maize grows in the southern and central regions. It’s often used as animal feed for cattle and other livestock, or for the creation of ethanol.

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