As the national supply chain and food industries continue to see increased strain, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian attack on Ukraine, new research released finds that Ohio’s food and agribusiness industry could be part of the solution.Co-sponsored by the Center for Innovative Food Technology and JobsOhio, “Ohio Food Industry,” a series of four new white papers authored by TEConomy Partners, highlight that Ohio has been a leader in research and innovation in the food industry, which is a primary economic driver for the state. This enables the food industry to be adaptable, flexible, and nimble to overcome the challenges it faces.
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Employing nearly 126,000 people across the state and investing over $100 million in food-related research and development (R&D), Ohio’s food industry sectors include food and beverage machinery and packaging; food and beverage processing and manufacturing; and food and beverage wholesale and warehousing.
With a commitment to innovation, Ohio’s food industry performs 43% more R&D than the national average, and hires more high-skill workers to advance the sector. For instance, Ohio’s broad food packaging, processing, manufacturing, and distribution sector boasts 60% more engineers than the U.S. average, 40% more engineering technicians, and 38% more food scientists and technologists.
“Innovation is the key to avoiding a repeat of the bare shelves from the supply chain shortages we saw during the pandemic,” said J.P. Nauseef, President and CEO of JobsOhio. “The reports show that Ohio is already out ahead, investing into the R&D needed and hiring more engineers and food scientists to accomplish tomorrow’s technological advancements for our state’s growing food and agribusiness.”
As the report highlights, innovation in the food industry is not just a matter of economic importance, but also an issue that is critical for the longevity and security of the nation. With Ohio remaining a primary supporter of the national supply chain, Ohio is a net exporter of food industry products, processing, packaging, and equipment, where export sales totaled $42.2 billion in 2020