Which sector includes businesses that grow, gather or extract raw materials?

The primary sector is the category that encompasses businesses engaged in the extraction and production of raw materials. This includes activities such as agriculture, mining, forestry, and fishing, where the focus is on utilizing natural resources directly from the earth. In this sector, firms work to extract or grow products that can then be processed, utilized, or sold by other sectors of the economy.

For example, a farm that produces crops or a logging company that harvests trees are both part of the primary sector, as they are directly dealing with natural resources. This sector is fundamental to the economy, as it provides the raw materials needed by the secondary sector, which is responsible for manufacturing and processing these goods.