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Maine Economy

Agriculture

About 60% of Maine's agricultural revenues are derived from livestock and livestock production; 40% from crops. In terms of revenue generated, Maine's top five agricultural products are dairy products, potatoes, chicken eggs, greenhouse and nursery products, and aquaculture products.

Livestock

Eggs and milk are the leading livestock products in the state, followed by chicken eggs.

Other important livestock products are aquaculture (Atlantic salmon), cattle and calves, and hogs.

Sheep and turkeys are also raised in the Pine Tree State.

Crops

The state's largest crop is its Maine State Potatoes crop.

Other crops are corn, hay, oats and other grains to feed cattle.

Greenhouse and nursery products, broccoli, dry beans, peas and other vegetables are also grown.

Apples are Maine's most valuable fruit crops, but Maine is also a leading producer of wild blueberries. Other fruit crops are cranberries, raspberries and strawberries.

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Manufacturing

Manufacturers add value to raw products by creating manufactured items. For example, cotton cloth becomes more valuable than a boll of cotton through manufacturing processes.

Leading manufactured products in Maine are paper products, including cardboard boxes, paper bags and pulp, as well as paper.

Ranking second in the manufacturing sector is computer and electronic equipment (personal computer microchips, communications equipment).

Third is transportation equipment (ship building, repair, some aerospace equipment).

Mining

Sand and gravel and limestone are the base products of Maine's mining industry.

Other mined products clays, garnet, gemstones (amethyst, topaz, tourmaline), granite and peat.

Large copper and zinc deposits have not been fully developed.

Fishing

Maine's fish and shellfish industry is ranked high among the states. Its yearly lobster catch is the biggest of any state.

Other important products are soft-shell clams, mussels, crabs, and sea urchins.

Commercial fish include cod, flounder, haddock and sea herring.

Fish farms breed Atlantic salmon.

Services

Community, business, and personal services (private health care, hotels, law firms, repair shops) is Maine's leading service industry.

The wholesale (wholesale paper and pulp) and retail (automobile dealerships, discount stores, gasoline stations, grocery stores, restaurants) trade industries and the finance, insurances and real estate industries rank as Maine's second most important service industry.

Sources

Paul B. Frederic and Richard H. Condon, "Maine," World Book Online Americas Edition (14 August 2001).

U.S. Department of Agriculture: National Agricultural Statistics Service, "Maine State Agriculture Overview, 2004", 3 January 2006, (12 January 2006)