Agribusiness & Agriculture in Georgia

Georgia is Prime for Agriculture

With long growing seasons, a favorable climate and nearly 10 million acres of operating farmland in the state, Georgia is prime for growing and producing valuable agricultural commodities. 

The state leads the nation in the production of peanuts, eggs and broilers. Many companies – including Pilgrim’s Pride, Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola and Tyson – source their products directly from Georgia farms and operations.

With an extensive logistics and supply chain infrastructure – as well as access to premier cold-storage facilities – agribusiness companies in Georgia stay competitive and reach global customers and markets quickly and efficiently.

Georgia Agribusiness Workforce & Education

Your company’s success depends on recruiting, training and retaining quality talent and skilled workers. Georgia is committed to providing agribusinesses with a strong pipeline of qualified labor.

• More than 399,200 jobs in food and fiber production and related industries
• 3.6% private unionization rate (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020)
• 22 technical colleges on 88 campuses across the state offer training in automated manufacturing technology, robotics and electrical control systems.

Georgia’s top-ranked programs and research in food safety and processing also directly benefit companies.

• The Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia (UGA) works closely with the Atlanta-headquartered Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and develops techniques to detect, control and eliminate disease-causing microorganisms and toxins. 
• University of Georgia’s Food Product Innovation and Commercialization Center helps companies develop and improve food products and processes.
• Georgia Tech’s Food Processing Technology Division (FPTD) researches food quality and safety with an emphasis on advanced imaging, sensor technologies, robotics and automation systems.
• Lanier Technical College’s Ammonia Refrigeration Training Program is one of only a few in the U.S. and is the official IARW-WFLO Ammonia Refrigeration Training Program.

Learn more about Georgia’s Workforce & Education.

Agriculture Logistics & Infrastructure

Essential to success is a company’s ability to quickly and efficiently move product in and move product out. Ranked No. 1 for logistics and infrastructure (Area Development, 2020), Georgia offers a robust rail and highway infrastructure and is home to the most traveled airport in the world (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport) and the fastest-growing port in the nation (Port of Savannah) – all of which keep companies moving, growing and thriving.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is not only the world’s busiest and most efficient airport, but it also has the 12th largest air cargo hub in North America. The airport’s three cargo complexes provide more than 2 million square feet of warehousing.

With the Port of Savannah, you get access to the largest single container terminal in North America and two on-terminal Class I railroads (Norfolk Southern and CSX) – making it is easy to transport your product across the U.S. and around the world.

Georgia’s on-terminal rail facility, the largest in North America, and top-ranked interstate highway systems are designed to help you quickly move products across the nation.

Learn more about Georgia’s Logistics & Infrastructure. 

Agribusiness Distribution & Warehousing

In Georgia, you can ensure speedy and efficient distribution of your products with access to 12 major distribution centers, 60+ warehouses, 100+ motor freight carriers, and extensive rail and highway systems.

Georgia’s extensive logistics lineup of distribution and warehousing companies strengthens your business’s reach to customers quickly and efficiently.

• 85% of the world’s top 3PLs operate in Georgia.
• The Port of Savannah has a greater refrigerated container capacity than any East or Gulf Coast terminal, with more than 2,000 reefer rack slots.
• 67 cold-chain facilities are located in Georgia with 189 million cubic square feet of space.

Learn more about Georgia's Distribution & Warehousing.

Ground Freight Transportation

Georgia's top-ranked interstate highway system is designed to easily move products across Georgia and out to neighboring states. Georgia’s 1,200 miles of interstate highways – including I-75, I-85, I-95 and I-20 – plus 20,000 miles of federal and state highways keep companies moving quickly and efficiently.

With 5,000 miles of rail, Georgia has the most extensive rail system and largest intermodal hub in the Southeast. Georgia is served by two Class I railroads – CSX and Norfolk Southern – and 24 short-line companies.

Learn more about Georgia's Ground Transportation.

Agriculture Business Incentives

Georgia’s experienced economic development team is a major incentive, dedicated to producing positive results for businesses and identifying ways to reduce costs, ensure a skilled workforce and help businesses grow.

The fertile business environment here is rooted in a state government that makes it easy to remove barriers to success, and the tax structure benefits companies in multiple ways. Georgia’s corporate tax rate of 5.39% is among the lowest in the nation, and it’s based on one factor: your sales inside Georgia. For example, agribusiness in Georgia is eligible for a full sales and use tax exemption on agricultural equipment and production inputs through the Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption Program (GATE). GATE is administered by the state’s Department of Agriculture, which identifies applicants as a qualified farmer or agricultural producer by issuing them a certificate of exemption.

Learn more about Georgia's Business Incentives.