Economy of Delaware including Delaware Agriculture and Manufacturing from NETSTATE.COM

The United States has become a service economy and many states, Delaware included, generate most of their revenue through service industries.

Agriculture

In terms of revenue generated, Delaware's top five agricultural products are broilers (young chickens), soybeans, corn for grain, greenhouse and nursery products, and dairy products.

Livestock

Livestock and livestock products produced in Delaware are broilers (young chickens), milk and hogs. Broilers contribute the largest portion, by far, of Delaware's farm income.

Crops

Crops account for a minor portion of the economy. Soybeans are Delaware's most important crop followed by corn.

Farmers also grow barley and wheat.

Potatoes and peas are the state's largest vegetable crops.

Apples are Delaware's largest fruit crop.

Greenhouse and nursery products (flowers, ornamental shrubs, young plants) provide some income.

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.

Chemicals are Delaware's primary manufacture product (drugs, industrial chemicals, plastics and other synthetics).

The food processing industry (gelatin, pudding, other prepared desserts, canneries, poultry, baked goods, fish products, soft drinks) ranks second followed by automobile production.

Mining

Services

The finance, insurance and real estate industry contributes more to the gross state product than any other industry. Growth in the finance and insurance sectors fuel growth in real estate.

Community, business and personal services (private health care, law firms, hotels, car rental agencies) rank second followed by the wholesale (automobiles, food products, commercial equipment and supplies) and retail (discount stores, grocery stores, restaurants) trade industry.

Sources

Barbara E. Benson and Peter W. Rees, "Delaware," World Book Online Americas Edition, <http://www.worldbookonline.com/wbol/wbPage/na/ar/co/152860>, August 14, 2001.

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

Delaware Economy