JULY 2008: THE STATE WE'RE INOregon’s food manufacturing: steady over time
Over the past 50 years, Oregon's food manufacturing sector has
employed no less than 20,000 and no more than 26,000. Back in
1958, food manufacturing employed 20,800 and comprised 4.4% of
the state’s total nonfarm payroll. In 2007, the activity
employed 22,500, comprising just 1.3% of the state’s
total nonfarm payroll. Food manufacturing tends to weather
economic slowdowns and recessions fairly well. Consumers may
postpone other purchases, but they have to eat, even when the
economy is not doing well. Oregon’s food manufacturing
sector is spread throughout the state. Combined, the Portland
and Salem metro areas represented 58% of food manufacturing
employment in Oregon and 60% of the state’s total
employment in 2006. In rural areas, the industry often makes up
a larger percentage of the workforce. Umatilla, Morrow and
Tillamook counties account for 15% of the state’s food
manufacturing employment. However, these three counties hold
less than 3% of the state’s total employment.
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