SHIRLEY, IL – Governor JB Pritzker has made investing in and supporting Illinois farmers a top priority, expanding markets for Illinois farmers, securing deals with partners worldwide, and advocating for them in the face of global chaos.
Under Gov. Pritzker, agriculture in Illinois is a $51 billion industry, one of the largest in the state. Illinois is the fifth-largest exporter of agricultural goods in the nation, exporting more than $10.6 billion worth of goods to other countries.
“Farmers are the backbone of our great nation,” said Gov. Pritzker. “They feed and fuel the entire world, and they drive an enormous sector of Illinois’ economy. That is why I am doing everything I can to position our state to lead in agriculture for generations to come.”
Since day one, his administration has been working to expand opportunity for Illinois farmers even as Washington dysfunction fails them by:
- Signing an agreement last week with the Indonesian ambassador to expand soybean trading
- Leading the state in securing a $2.2 billion commitment from Taiwan to purchase Illinois corn and soybeans, building on a $2.6 billion agreement secured in 2022
- Leading a major trade mission to Mexico in 2025 focused on agricultural exports
- Issuing an Executive Order to support Illinois farmers amid Trump’s tariffs
- Paying FFA dues for all agriculture students
- Growing Illinois into the third-largest producer of biodiesel
- Urging Congress in 2026 to authorize year-round E15 gasoline sales to stabilize fuel markets and support rural economies
- Investing in major upgrades to Illinois fairgrounds, driving record-breaking attendance at state fairs
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