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South Carolina Economy

Agriculture

In terms of revenue generated South Carolina's top five agricultural products are broilers (young chickens), greenhouse and nursery products, turkeys, cattle and calves, and tobacco.

Livestock

More than half of South Carolina's agricultural income is produced by livestock and livestock products. Broilers (5-12 week-old chickens) are the most valuable at about 27% of total agricultural receipts.

Turkeys, beef cattle and calves, chicken eggs, and hogs are also valuable contributers to the state's agricultural revenues.

Honey is also produced in South Carolina.

Crops

Greenhouse and nursery products (shrubs, flowers, young plants) are the most important sources of revenue in this category.

Tobacco, soybeans, cotton, and corn for grain are other valuable crops grown in the state. Other field crops are wheat, peanuts, hay, and oats.

Peaches are an important fruit crop of South Carolina.

Important South Carolina vegetables include tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, squash, beans, and sweet potatoes.

Pecans are also produced in the state.

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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.

In manufacturing, chemicals are most important in the state and South Carolina produces synthetic fibers, plastic resins, dyes and pharmaceuticals.

Textile production (acrylic, cotton, polyester, silk, wool fabrics - plastic and glass fiber yarns - rayon and nylon tire cord - clothing and other finished textile products) is the second-ranking manufacturing activity.

Forest products such as wood, pulp and paper products (paper, paperboard) rank third.

Mining

Granite and limestone are two of South Carolina's most valuable mined products.

Gold is also mined in the state.

South Carolina is a leading state in the production of kaolin, mica, and vermiculite.

Fishing

The most important catch for South Carolina is shrimp.

The state also brings in clams, crabs, oysters and snapper.

Services

Wholesale and retail trade rank first among South Carolina's service industries, benefiting from the state's year-round tourism industry. Wholesale trade in South Carolina revolves around automobiles, groceries and textiles. Retail trade benefits from sales made in food stores, discount stores and restaurants.

Ranking second in the state is the community, business and personal services sector, again benefiting from the state's tourism industry. A variety of services contribute to this group. Important are private health care, engineering firms, hotels and repair shops.

Government services (public schools and hospitals, several military bases)rank third in South Carolina.

Sources

Charles F. Kovacik and George C. Rogers, Jr., "South Carolina," World Book Online Americas Edition (14 August 2001).

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