U.S. Cooperative Businesses Reach $309 Billion
The latest industry report tracks the significant revenue generated by major food and agricultural cooperatives nationwide.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Organic Food
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The National Cooperative Bank released its 2026 NCB Co-op 100 report in October 2026, highlighting the financial performance of top U.S. cooperatives. These businesses represent a significant segment of the national economy, generating a combined $309 billion in 2025.
Why it matters
The report underscores the massive economic scale of cooperative business models in the U.S. food and supply chain sectors. Tracking these figures helps shoppers understand the influence of cooperative organizations, such as grocery retailers and agricultural suppliers, on domestic food costs.
The NCB Co-op 100 report ranks 100 U.S. cooperative businesses based on 2025 revenue performance. While total revenue reached $309 billion, the data remains limited as a measure of individual consumer price savings or long-term financial health.
The players
National Cooperative Bank
An Arlington, Virginia-based financial institution providing banking solutions specifically tailored to the needs of member-owned cooperatives.
CHS Inc.
An energy, grains, and foods cooperative headquartered in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, which holds the top position on the report.
Wakefern Food Corp./ShopRite
A retailers' cooperative based in Keasbey, New Jersey, operating as the fifth-largest cooperative business in the United States.
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc.
A Kansas City, Kansas-based cooperative serving 1,100 member companies across 3,500 locations in 33 states.
Dairy Farmers of America
A milk marketing cooperative and dairy processor based in the United States that ranked second on the 2026 revenue list.
The details
Cooperative businesses function as member-owned entities, often pooling resources to negotiate supply chain costs or share manufacturing infrastructure. Organizations like Wakefern Food Corp./ShopRite and Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. leverage this scale to distribute goods across thousands of locations. By aggregating purchasing power, these groups aim to maintain market competitiveness for local member businesses.
Timeline
Cooperative businesses generated $309 billion in combined revenue during 2025.
The National Cooperative Bank released the NCB Co-op 100 report in October 2026.
Health Landscape
The cooperative model represents a substantial portion of the U.S. food supply chain, anchoring a significant share of grocery distribution. Understanding this landscape is essential to recognizing how large-scale, member-owned entities influence market pricing and access to food nationwide.
These cooperative organizations play a direct role in the availability and variety of food products in local markets across 33 states. Awareness of your local grocer's business model can offer insight into their supply chain resilience and commitment to local member-retailer needs.
The takeaway
Large-scale cooperatives contribute $309 billion to the national economy, directly impacting the food supply chain for many U.S. families. Shoppers looking to support local business models may consider checking if their primary grocery store operates as a member-owned cooperative.
Further reading
For broader trends in grocery distribution, visit Organic Food.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Progressive Grocer.
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