Arkansas has an abundance of resources to help food processing companies succeed. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission works directly with food processing companies looking to start-up, expand or relocate. In addition, we assist companies with finding the best incentives so companies are able to make money quickly and efficiently. 

There were 341 food and beverage companies in Arkansas at the end of 2017. These companies employed 48,770 people. Arkansas is home to Tyson Foods and numerous other food processing facilities, including Nestle, JBS USA, Kraft Heinz, Mars Inc., Cargill Inc., Hormel Foods Corp, Riceland Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride, ConAgra Brands Inc., Land O’ Frost and Frito-Lay, Inc.

Arkansas continues to attract food processing companies to invest and expand. Between January 2015 and June 2018, there have been 66 economic development projects in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, with 2,204 new jobs and $1.5 billion of proposed investments.

The food processing industry is booming in Arkansas and continues to grow exponentially. 23 out of the top 25 food and beverage companies by revenue in the world have manufacturing facilities in the state. 

Arkansas is meeting the workforce needs for food processing companies. The state now has the second-largest number of food processing workers in the US and Arkansas has responded to industry growth by modernizing the workforce.