FOOD PROCESSING AND MANUFACTURING

There are currently 1,586 food processing facilities in Georgia.1 Over the past 10 years, 293 food processing companies have opened or expanded operations in the state, investing more than $4.75 billion into Georgia’s economy.1 Small businesses with 19 or less employees employ nearly 65 percent of the state’s food manufacturing workers.1

Payroll has steadily increased in this industry from 2019-2021, but total sales have seen an even more significant jump, showing a 7.6 percent increase in 2020-2021.2 While payroll has increased, the number of people employed has decreased.2 Many of these jobs are specialized and require higher pay. Thus, pay may have been increased for these jobs in order to recruit and retain talented employees in a high-turnover environment.

Within Georgia’s manufacturing sector, food manufacturing remains at the top in terms of number of employees, and second largest by revenue. Four of the top five global refrigerated warehousing companies have locations in Georgia. Overall, there are 189 million cubic squares of cold storage in the state.1

Much of Georgia’s success in food manufacturing is due to the state’s prime logistical location. Logistics play a major role in the success of the food manufacturing industry, due to the necessity of moving products in and out of these facilities quickly and efficiently to prevent spoilage. Thanks to the state’s robust rail system, highway infrastructure, the world’s busiest airport and the Port of Savannah – the fastest growing port in the nation – Georgia’s food manufacturers can exercise a competitive advantage. These transportation systems are only set to improve, with many interstate expansion and port projects underway. 1

In addition to ideal logistics and increasing pay scales, Georgia offers qualifying companies access to customized workforce training at no cost through Georgia Quick Start. This program, part of the Technical College System of Georgia, is continuously ranked the number one workforce training program in the nation.4

The University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences also serves as a resource for food manufacturing companies through its Center for Food Safety. This group detects, controls and eliminates disease-causing micro-organisms and toxins, helping protect a safe and secure global food chain.3

Food Manufacturing STATS

$4.75B invested in the Georgia economy2

65% amount employed by small businesses within the food manufacturing industry2

189M cubic squares of cold storage in Georgia2

1,586 food processing facilities in Georgia2

EMPLOYEES

< 5 EMPLOYEES 39.30% 5-19 EMPLOYEES 24.58% EMPLOYEES100-249 7.74% 10.32%EMPLOYEES>250