Agriculture is Mississippi’s number one industry, employing approximately 11.4% of the state’s workforce either directly or indirectly. Agriculture in Mississippi is a 9.5 billion-dollar industry. There are approximately 31,290 farms in the state covering 10.3 million acres. The average size farm is composed of 328 acres. Agriculture makes a significant contribution to all 82 counties. In celebration of the efforts of those who work so hard to feed and clothe us, we present this overview of Mississippi’s top 15 agricultural crops.
Mississippi's Top 15 Commodities - Agriculture Snapshot
2024
#1
Poultry / Eggs - $3.82 Billion
- Approximately 732 million broilers were produced in 2024
- 3003 broiler farms
- 1454 million eggs produced in 2024
- 234 farms with 100+ layers
2025
#1
Poultry / Eggs - $3.73 Billion
- Approximately 752 million broilers were produced
- Broilers: $3.38 billion value of production
- 3003 broiler farms
- 1454 million eggs produced
- Eggs: $351 million value of production
- 234 farms with 100+ layers
2024
#2
Forestry / Timber – $1.48 Billion
- 19,008,846 acres in 2024
- 130,000 forest landowners
2025
#2
Forestry / Timber – $1.5 Billion
- 18,907,718 acres
- 120,000 forest landowners
2024
#3
Soybeans – $1.28 Billion
- 2,270,000 acres harvested in 2024
- 127,120,000 bushels produced in 2024
- 2926 farms
2025
#3
Soybeans – $1.02 Billion
- 1,2780,000 acres harvested
- 97,900,000 bushels produced
- 2926 farms
2024
#4
Cattle / Calves – $482 Million
- 810,000 head in 2024
- 13,631 farms
2025
#4
Corn – $619 Million
- 880,000 acres harvested
- 155,760,000 bushels produced
- 1,495 farms
2024
#5
Corn – $496 Million
- 515,000 acres harvested in 2024
- 1,250,000 bales produced in 2024
- 788 farms
2025
#5
Cattle / Calves – $639 Million
- 810,000 head
- 13,631 farms
2024
#6
Cotton – $372 Million
- 475,000 acres harvested in 2024
- 88,825,000 bushels produced in 2024
- 1495 farms
2025
#6
Cotton – $333 Million
- 515,000 acres harvested
- 1,250,000 bales produced
- 788 farms
2024
#7
Catfish – $214 Million
- 29,900 acres of production in 2024
- 142 operations
2025
#7
Catfish – $196 Million
- 28,100 acres of production
- 129 operations
2024
#8
Hay – $171 Million
- 1.2 million tons produced in 2024
- 580,000 acres harvested
- 9945 farms
2025
#8
Hay – $186.3 Million
- 1.38 million tons produced
- 600,000 acres harvested
- 9945 farms
2024
#9
Rice – $168 Million
- 11,700,000 hundredweight rice produced in 2024
- 188 farms
2025
#9
Rice – $125 Million
- 11,840,000 hundredweight rice produced
- 188 farms
2024
#10
Horticultural Crops – $115 Million
Horticulture crops include vegetables, melons, potatoes, fruits, tree nuts, berries, nursery, greenhouses, floriculture, sod and Christmas trees.
2025
#10
Horticultural Crops – $117 Million
Horticulture crops include vegetables, melons, potatoes, fruits, tree nuts, berries, nursery, greenhouses, floriculture, sod and Christmas trees.
2024
#11
Sweet Potatoes – $82 Million
- 3.8 million hundredweight produced in 2024
- 30,000 acres harvested
- 156 farms
2025
#11
Hogs – $92 Million
- 177,541 hogs and pigs
- 709 farms
2024
#12
Hogs – $80 Million
- 177,541 hogs and pigs
- 709 farms
2025
#12
Sweet Potatoes – $84 Million
- 3.78 million hundredweight produced
- 31,500 acres harvested
- 156 farms
2024
#13
Peanuts – $25 Million
- 95 million pounds produced in 2024
- 25,000 acres harvested
- 36 farms
2025
#13
Peanuts – $19 Million
- 80 million pounds produced
- 20,000 acres harvested
- 36 farms
2024
#14
Wheat – $19 Million
- 1,750,000 bushels produced in 2024
- 35,000 acres harvested
- 355 farms
2025
#14
Wheat – $13 Million
- 2,700,000 bushels produced
- 45,000 acres harvested
- 355 farms
2024
#15
Milk – $16 Million
- 6,000 milk cows in 2024
- 32 Grade A dairy herds
2025
#15
Milk – $13 Million
- 5,500 milk cows
- 32 Grade A dairy herds
Mississippi Value of Production Estimates, December 2024, 2025.
Source: Mississippi State University, Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine;
Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation