Industry:
The town has a growing industrial base. Manufacturers established in the town, and supplying local and international markets include:

• a Nestlé factory, producing milk powder and processed cheese, and packaging other products
  
• Nouwens, a large carpet manufacturer
  
• Boxmore Plastics International, producing PET softdrink bottles
  
• and a number of furniture manufacturers

Labour:
Harrismith has a large labour pool which has a well deserved good reputation amongst employers.

Agriculture:
Harrismith is also excellent farming country, and is a:

• top red meat producer,
  
• key wool and milk producing area.
  
• important arable area - a diversity of crops are cultivated, including apples and vegetables. Much of this is exported.

Professionals:
A number of professional people live in Harrismith. Consulting engineers, quantity surveyors, architects etc, are attracted by Harrismith's central location, lower cost base and high quality of living.

Commerce:
The town is also an important commercial centre.