Agriculture: Greenhouse and nursery products are Oregon's most valuable agricultural sector. Oregon farmers produce daffodils, gladioli, irises, lilies, peonies and tulips for bulbs. Ranking second is the timber harvest. The most important trees are the douglas fir and ponderosa pine. Oregon is a leading producer of Christmas trees. Beef cattle and milk are important livestock products. Other livestock products are sheep, chickens and hogs. Wheat is the state's most valuable field crop followed by hay, barley and oats. Oregon's a top vegetable-producing state and delivers a large potato crop. Green peas, onions, snap beans, sweet corn, hops, sugar beets and, of course, hazelnuts (filberts) are other Oregon crops. Oregon is also a top producer of berries, pears, plums and cherries. Apples are also grown in the state. Oregon produces almost all of the country's seed for bentgrass, fescue,' ryegrass, crimson clover, Kentucky and merion bluegrasses and orchardgrass and... Oregon is a leader in the production of peppermint oil. [Find out more]
Manufacturing: In Oregon, the leading manufactured products are electronic equipment including oscilloscopes, computer video display monitors, calculators, printer components, microprocessors and communication microchips. Following the high-tech component industry is the wood processing industry where manufactured products include plywood, veneer and particleboard. Oregon leads the states in lumber production. Food processing is the third-ranking manufacturing activity in the state. The most important products in this sector are frozen fruits and vegetables. Other processed foods include baked goods, beverages and canned goods.
Fishing: The big catches of the day in Oregon are albacore tuna, crab, groundfish, shrimp and whiting.
Mining: About 75% of Oregon's mining income is generated by the mining of sand and gravel, for roadbeds, and stone. Oregon is a leading producer of pumice stone. Other mined products are clays, diatomite, gold and semiprecious gems.
Services: The community, business and personal services group accounts for the greatest income in the services industry. Services in this group include private health care, hotels and motels, law firms, engineering companies and repair shops. Ranking second is the wholesale trade (foreign automobile imports, wheat and forest product exports, athletic shoes, sportswear) and retail trade (department stores, food stores) industry. Third place in the services industry is the finance, insurance and real estate group fueled by the development of retirement villages and vacation resorts.
Natural Resources: Oregon can count among its natural resources dense forests (almost 1/10 of the country's timber), small deposits of a wide variety of minerals, an abundant supply of water and fertile soils.