Report: New Mexico agriculture industry grows to $45 billion
Exports, wages rise statewide as sector shows steady economic gains
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - New Mexico's agriculture and food sectors contributed approximately $45 billion to the state's economy in 2025, reflecting growth in employment, wages and exports, according to the annual Feeding the Economy report.
Released by a coalition of 36 food and agriculture organizations, the report outlined the economic performance of the state's agricultural industry, highlighting a 4.4% increase in total economic impact from $43.12 billion in 2024.
The report found that New Mexico's food and agriculture industry paid $12.9 billion in wages, an increase of 9.3% from the previous year, and generated approximately $4.8 billion in business taxes. The sector also reported exports totaling $301.8 million, marking a significant increase of 22.1% from 2024. Overall, the industry supported about 253,529 jobs statewide.
New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte emphasized the industry's significance, saying, “Our state’s food and agriculture industry is a thriving, integral component of the local economy, as this latest report shows increases in exports, wages and overall economic impact of the ag industry. When we sit down to eat a meal, it’s important to remember all the work it took to get that food from the farm to our plates.”
Nationally, food and agriculture sectors contributed $9.5 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2025, making up 18.7% of the country's total economic output. The industry has shown resilience since the pandemic, growing by nearly 25% despite global supply chain disruptions.
For more information and the complete 2025 Feeding the Economy report, visit www.FeedingTheEconomy.com.