Food & Beverage Processing in Virginia
More than 150 food and beverage processing companies chose to locate or expand in Virginia over the last decade creating over 7,300 new jobs and making capital investments totaling $2.3 billion. They were attracted to Virginia by its unique combination of advantages and resources for food and beverage processing.
Virginia’s food and beverage processing industry employs more than 42,000 people, accounts for over 17% of Virginia’s total manufacturing employment, and is the Commonwealth’s second-largest manufacturing sector. It is also one of the Commonwealth’s fastest growing industries. Employment in this sector has grown by 15% over the past five years, the second-highest rate in the Southeast.