10 Most Successful Farmers in the World 2024
When thinking of immense wealth, farming might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, several successful farmers have turned agriculture into a billion-dollar business. For these agricultural tycoons, it’s not just about planting crops or raising livestock; it’s about managing complex operations, leveraging technology, and wielding influence over the global food market. While compiling a definitive list of the world’s wealthiest farmers can be challenging due to the private nature of many agricultural enterprises, here are the names that consistently make the top lists.
10 Most Successful Farmers in the World 2024
Liu Yonghao
Liu Yonghao, one of China’s wealthiest individuals, has emerged as the richest farmer in the world, surpassing even his brother, Liu Yongxing. Liu started his journey in the poultry and quail farming business alongside his brother and is now the chairman of the New Hope Group, a conglomerate with over 600 subsidiaries in 30 countries and more than 70,000 employees. Under his leadership, New Hope Group has grown into a global giant in the agribusiness sector, making him not only a successful farmer but also a major player in the international food market.
Stewart and Lynda Resnick
Stewart and Lynda Resnick, American billionaires, have redefined what it means to be successful farmers in the United States. The couple owns The Wonderful Company, which controls vast acreages of citrus orchards, almond groves, and vineyards across California. Their agricultural products, such as Wonderful Pistachios, Halo mandarins, and Fiji Water, are household names in the U.S., consumed by over half of all Americans. With a combined net worth of $7.1 billion as of 2021, they continue to thrive in a sector where success requires both agricultural expertise and savvy business acumen.
Liu Yongxing
Liu Yongxing, also one of the wealthiest people in China, ranks among the richest farmers globally. He was ranked 18th on the Forbes China Rich List, with a net worth of $6.6 billion as of 2021, and is the richest resident of Shanghai. Starting from a small chicken and quail farm in the 1980s with his brothers, he expanded the business into the East Hope Group, which focuses primarily on animal feed production. Today, it is one of the largest producers of feed in China, with over 100 varieties of products.
Harry Stine
Harry Stine is the visionary founder behind Stine Seed, the world’s largest private seed company. Growing up on a farm outside Des Moines, Iowa, Stine developed a passion for seed breeding from a young age. He began his seed-breeding business in the 1960s, and over the decades, his company has grown to become a major player in the agricultural sector. With a net worth of $5.2 billion as of 2021, Stine is not just the richest person in Iowa but also a prime example of a successful farmer who combined traditional farming with innovative science.
Vadim Moshkovich
Vadim Moshkovich is the chairman of Rusagro, one of Russia’s largest agro-industrial firms specializing in pork and sugar production. Moshkovich initially started his career by selling apartments, vodka, and oil in the early 1990s before investing in land and establishing Rusagro. The company now owns more than 60,000 acres of farmland and sells its products in over 15 countries and 80 Russian regions, contributing to Moshkovich’s net worth of $2.7 billion. He is also known for his philanthropic activities and remains a top shareholder of Rusagro.
Fu Guangming
Fu Guangming is the chairman of Fujian Sunner Development, a major supplier of chicken to KFC in China. Sharing his fortune with his daughter Fu Fenfang, a director in the company, Fu Guangming has a net worth of $1.95 billion as of 2021. His business acumen and strategic partnerships have solidified his position as one of China’s leading poultry producers, and if the past few years are any indication, his wealth is expected to grow even further.
Tony and Ron Perich
Tony and Ron Perich are the Australian brothers behind one of the country’s largest dairy farms. Since inheriting the family farm in 1951, the Perich brothers have expanded their operations from 25 milking cows to over 2,000 cows across 11,000 hectares. In addition to their dairy business, the Perich family has also developed Greenfield’s Property Development Company, which has sold over 12,500 housing lots in Western Sydney. This diversification into real estate has helped them build a significant portion of their wealth.
Blairo Maggi
Blairo Maggi is a Brazilian farmer and politician who leads the Andre Maggi Group, the world’s largest private soybean producer. Founded by his late father, the company also has substantial interests in rubber production, energy, fertilizers, and transportation. Maggi owns over 16% of the company and has served as the governor of the state of Mato Grosso, a leading soybean-producing region. With a net worth of $1.15 billion, he continues to be a dominant figure in global agribusiness.
Bao Hongxing
Bao Hongxing is a Chinese farmer and entrepreneur who graduated from Jinxing Agricultural University with a degree in agricultural science. After graduation, he began a farm focused on pig feed production, capitalizing on the growing demand in China. His entrepreneurial spirit and expertise in agricultural science have allowed him to build a successful business, further solidifying his status as a wealthy and influential farmer.
Colin and Dale Armer
Colin and Dale Armer are the most successful dairy farmers in New Zealand, owning and operating a family dairy business. Through a farming strategy focused on high pasture utilization, the Armer brothers have grown from a small share milking operation to a group of fifteen dairy farms and three support blocks, milking approximately 14,000 cows. Their combined wealth is currently estimated to be around $750 million, making them leading figures in the New Zealand dairy industry.
These successful farmers illustrate that with innovation, strategic thinking, and a commitment to excellence, the agricultural industry can indeed be a path to tremendous wealth.
