Yakima Industry and Economy

[Professional business, education and healthcare services account for 18 percent of the valley’s economy.

Yakima is home to four of the state’s largest privately held companies and nine research and development facilities performing work in the areas of mechanical engineering, microbiology and food chemistry, soil sciences, concrete, masonry and asphalt production, structural steel, compaction and construction material testing, environmental testing, drinking water and agriculture.

A hub of manufacturing innovation, 243 manufacturing companies in Yakima County employ more than 9,000 workers. Yakima valley companies have created and refined everything from sport racks, Baby Joggers and packaged food twist-ties to thermo-forming equipment, controlled atmosphere (CA) storage, and aerospace actuation equipment. Today’s manufacturers produce aerospace products, plastics, metals, woods, industrial machinery, and food products.

New, innovative energy businesses in the valley lead in the development of new bio-fuels and wind power.

The valley’s agricultural traditions drive a thriving food manufacturing and processing industry that accounts for about 40 percent of the manufacturing sector with more than 250 firms employing nearly 10,000 workers.

558,000 acres of private land is used for the valley’s largest industry—agriculture.

Under sunny skies, with an average growing season of 195 days and fertile, mineral-rich volcanic soil, Yakima County is one of the most productive growing regions in the world, ranking 12th among U.S. counties for total agricultural output.

With a 150-year agricultural history, multi-generational Yakima Valley farmers harvest the largest variety of crops in Washington, which produces more than 300 crops and packaged or processed foods
More than half of the nation’s apples and sweet cherries come from Washington, led by Yakima. Yakima growers produce more than 75 percent of the nation’s hops, providing 20 percent of the world hop supply (second only to Germany!).

The first pear trees arrived in the Northwest with pioneers on the Lewis and Clark Trail. Today, more than 80 percent of the nation’s pears come from Pacific Northwest, the bulk from Wenatchee and Yakima.

Yakima’s 68 dairies make it the 11th highest dairy producing county in the United States.