new report from the National Cooperative Bank (NCB) shows the Top 100 cooperatives in the United States generated a combined $323 billion in revenue in 2024, underscoring the growing economic power of agricultural cooperatives. While dairy and grain dominate the top positions, the data signals important implications for U.S. pork producers as cooperative models continue to reshape the agricultural landscape.
Agriculture Leads the Way
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CHS Inc., a farmer-owned cooperative and major feed, grain, and energy supplier, ranked No. 1 with $39.3 billion in revenue.
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Dairy Farmers of America followed at No. 2 with $23 billion.
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Multiple regional ag co-ops in feed, processing, and input supply contributed to the overall $323B total, reflecting strong producer participation and reinvestment in infrastructure, technology, and value-chain integration.
What This Means for the U.S. Pork Industry
Although hog-specific cooperatives are not prominently featured in this year’s list, the findings highlight several emerging opportunities for pork producers:
1. Feed & Input Leverage
Cooperatives like CHS are heavily involved in grain handling and feed production—critical cost drivers in hog production. The scale and buying power of these entities help shield members from volatility. With feed costs representing 60–70% of total hog production expenses, participation in cooperatives or co-op-style contracts could provide strategic cost advantages.
2. Opportunity for Swine-Focused Cooperative Growth
Unlike poultry or dairy, where cooperatives dominate marketing and processing channels, the U.S. pork sector remains largely corporate-integrated or independent. However, with rising input costs, labor challenges, and health risks, the cooperative model could resurface as a powerful tool for:
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Collective purchasing
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Shared biosecurity infrastructure
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Regional marketing programs
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Investment in new technologies
3. Financing & Producer Stability
NCB’s continued support of the cooperative sector signals strong financial confidence in member-owned models. For swine producers exploring value-added ventures—such as local pork brands, renewable energy from manure, or regional feed mills—co-op financing could unlock new opportunities.
The Takeaway
The agricultural cooperative sector is growing—and thriving. While the pork industry is currently underrepresented in the top-tier cooperative rankings, the success of CHS and others is a clear signal: ownership, scale, and collaboration are driving economic resilience in agriculture.
As the industry navigates market pressure, Prop 12 compliance, disease risk, and generational transition, cooperative models may become a renewed pathway for producer control, profitability, and long-term sustainability in U.S. pork production.
Swine Producer Insight
“The $323 billion cooperative economy is not just a number—it’s a roadmap. As feed and input costs continue to pressure margins, swine producers should be asking: How can we leverage cooperative strength to take back control of our cost structure and market access?”
Interested in learning more about cooperative models in pork production?
Swine Web is exploring how feed co-ops, producer-owned processing, and shared data networks could reshape the future of pork. Stay tuned for upcoming features.
