Leading Industries

To understand the economic land-scape of Kansas is to witness a dynamic interplay of deep-rooted legacy and ambitious innovation. This is not an economy grounded in what might be, or mere potential; it is a state built on tangible output, from sprawling wheat fields and grazing grasslands to the aircraft assembly lines in Wichita. The narrative of Kansas business is one of foundational strength, where traditional sectors have not just endured but have evolved, creating a robust platform for emerging industries to take root and flourish.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Gross Domestic Product of Kansas stood at $239 billion in the second quarter of 2025. This figure represents the substantial economic engine humming at the heart of the nation, an engine powered by a diverse set of cylinders, each firing with purpose and precision.

The Unshakeable Pillar: Agriculture and Food Processing

Any discussion of Kansas industry must begin with agriculture. It is the state’s historical identity and its enduring economic bedrock. Kansas is not merely “the Wheat State” in name; it is the nation’s leading producer of wheat, with farmers harvesting 335 million bushels from the 7.3 million acres planted last spring. But the agricultural story is far more diverse than a single grain.

The state is a national leader in sorghum production and boasts a massive cattle industry, with 5.95 million head of cattle on farms and in feedlots as of Jan. 1. This direct livestock production fuels a massive value-added sector: meat and food processing. From sprawling beef packing plants in the Southwest to value-added food manufacturers in major metro areas, this sector transforms raw commodities into consumer-ready products. The Kansas Department of Agriculture reports that the total value of agricultural exports reached $4.75 billion in 2024. This export strength is a critical component, tying the state’s producers directly to global markets and demand.

The Air Capital of the World

If agriculture is the state’s soul, then advanced manufacturing—specifically aerospace—is its industrial muscle. The Wichita metropolitan statistical area has the highest concentration of private-sector aerospace jobs in the United States, further solidifying its title as the “Air Capital of the World.” This is not a nostalgic moniker but a present-day reality.

The sector is dominated by iconic names that are global leaders in aviation. Spirit AeroSystems, a world-leading manufacturer of aerostructures, and Textron Aviation, the producer of Beechcraft and Cessna aircraft, anchor a supply chain of hundreds of smaller, highly specialized manufacturers. This cluster employs tens of thousands of Kansans in high-skill, high-wage jobs. The impact is quantifiable: the Kansas Department of Commerce states that the total value of manufactured goods was $26.5 billion last year, with aerospace products and parts constituting a massive portion of that total. This manufacturing might extend beyond aviation, encompassing sectors like automobiles, machinery, plastics, and chemical products, demonstrating a diversified industrial base that is integral to the state’s economic health.

The Distribution Crossroads

Geography is destiny in business, and Kansas leverages its central location with strategic intent. Positioned at the literal and figurative crossroads of the nation, the state has become a logistics and distribution powerhouse. The Kansas City region, in particular, is a national hub for warehousing and freight movement.

Interstates 35, 70, and 135 form a vital grid for trucking, while multiple Class I railroads provide critical rail access. Furthermore, the strategic development of Foreign-Trade Zones, such as FTZ No. 17 in Sedgwick County and FTZ No. 161 in Johnson County, provides businesses with significant duty savings on imported materials and exported finished goods. 

This infrastructure is not just about moving goods through the state; it’s about attracting companies that need to store, assemble, and distribute products to a national market efficiently. Major retailers and e-commerce giants have established massive fulfillment centers in Kansas, drawn by the central location, robust infrastructure, and a skilled logistics work force.

An Emerging Frontier

While the traditional sectors provide immense stability, Kansas is actively cultivating its next economic wave. The bioscience sector, with a particular emphasis on animal health, has emerged as a global leader. The Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, stretching from Manhattan, Kan., to Columbia, Mo., is the epicenter of this industry, hosting more than 300 animal health companies that represent more than half of the global animal health, diagnostics, and pet food sales.

This is not an abstract cluster. It is populated by multinational corporations such as Ceva Animal Health and Covetrus, which have significant operations in the state, alongside homegrown successes. This ecosystem is fueled by world-class research institutions, including Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and its Biosecurity Research Institute. The sector focuses on developing vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostics for livestock and companion animals, directly linking the state’s agricultural heritage with cutting-edge scientific innovation.

Natural Resources and Construction

Kansas is a major energy producer, consistently ranking among the top states for wind energy production and remaining a significant producer of natural gas. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, wind power accounted for 52 percent of the state’s electricity generation in 2024, a testament to its commitment to renewable resources. This diversified energy portfolio provides competitive utility rates for businesses and homeowners alike.

Supporting all this economic activity is a robust construction and commercial development sector. The demand for new industrial warehouse space, advanced manufacturing facilities and modern office environments remains strong. The value of construction in Kansas is substantial, with non-residential construction consistently representing billions of dollars in annual investment, a clear indicator of business confidence and expansion.

The Professional Backbone

The preceding sectors largely reflect the state’s blue-collar muscle, but underpinning the state’s tangible goods producers is a sophisticated network of business and professional services. The state is home to a growing financial services and fintech presence, particularly in the Kansas City metro, which benefits from a lower cost of doing business compared to coastal hubs. Engineering firms, architecture practices, legal services, and marketing agencies all find a thriving market serving the state’s primary industries. This sector adds a layer of intellectual capital and strategic support that is essential for a mature, complex economy.

The Kansas economy, then, is not a collection of siloed industries. It is a deeply interconnected system. The strength of agriculture fuels the animal-health sector and food processing. The advanced manufacturing expertise in aerospace spills over into other complex manufacturing domains. The central location that supports logistics also attracts data centers and corporate headquarters. 

Kansas stands as a destination where legacy industries have been retooled for the 21st century, providing a stable and powerful foundation. Simultaneously, targeted investments in research, infrastructure, and workforce development are creating fertile ground for the high-growth sectors of tomorrow. The story of business in Kansas is one of resilience, pragmatism, and a clear-eyed focus on building value from the ground up. It is an economy that works.