Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
Machines can already do 38% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 66%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 38% of this job's tasks.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2030, and 66% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Contact with people: it scores 77% for contact with people.
- Also called: Buyer, Cattle Buyer, Grain Buyer, Grain Market Advisor.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase, for further processing or for resale, farm products, such as milk, grains, or Christmas trees | 24% | 50% to 85% | |
| Maintain records of business transactions and product inventories, reporting data to companies or government agencies as necessary | 15% | 48% to 75% | |
| Negotiate contracts with farmers for the production or purchase of farm products | 12% | 10% to 27% | |
| Arrange for transportation or storage of purchased products | 12% | 10% to 27% | |
| Arrange for processing or resale of purchased products | 11% | 65% to 92% | |
| Review orders to determine product types and quantities required to meet demand | 10% | 60% to 90% | |
| Examine or test crops or products to estimate their value, determine their grade, or locate any evidence of disease or insect damage | 10% | 30% to 75% | |
| Coordinate or direct activities of workers engaged in cutting, transporting, storing, or milling products and maintaining records | 6% | 10% to 27% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills buyers and purchasing agents, farm products use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $89,900
- Supply Chain Managers61% of tasks by 2035 · US median $107,230
- Logisticians61% of tasks by 2035 · US median $82,320
- Chief Operating Officers50% of tasks by 2035
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2030. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of buyers and purchasing agents, farm products?
Machines can do 38% of the tasks of buyers and purchasing agents, farm products today and 66% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 13-1021.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/buyers-and-purchasing-agents-farm-products/