What is Missouri’s leading industry? Conversation sparks after Hawley, Kunce run-in

MISSOURI – A conversation around Missouri’s leading industry sparked after Missouri U.S. Senate candidates Josh Hawley and Lucas Kunce came face-to-face during a run-in at the Missouri State Fair on Wednesday.

During the informal encounter, Josh Hawley claimed the agricultural industry was Missouri’s leading industry contributing to the state’s economy. An analysis from 2022 comparing Missouri’s industry contributions states otherwise.

According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center , manufacturing is recognized as the leading industry, contributing 12.5 percent, or $38 billion in 2022.

Real estate, rental and leasing followed close behind manufacturing contributing 11 percent or $33.1 billion.

The agricultural industry only contributed 1.7 percent or $5.2 billion during the year 2022 marking it as one of the state’s least contributing industries.

Health care and social assistance alongside professional, scientific and technical services came in as two more of the state’s top contributing industries. While utilities and educational services ranked near the agricultural industry as the weakest contributors.

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