Mississippi agriculture, food & beverage

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Growing success in the food industry

Agriculture, food and beverage are long-standing industries in Mississippi, and the state is a top 20 producer for 15 agricultural commodities and rose to the top of U.S. aquaculture in the 2018 census with $230.7 million in sales. Agriculture employs about 17.4% of Mississippians, either directly or indirectly, and the industry had an estimated value of $6.22 billion in 2020.

Thanks to Mississippi’s exceptional highway system, comprehensive logistics network and low cost of doing business, agricultural companies flourish in the Magnolia State.

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Agriculture Industry Snapshot Mississippi State University Agricultural & Forestry Experiment Station Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce

HUMIC Growth

Tech and science meets agriculture with HUMIC–an innovative company developing new fertilizers to improve the growth of produce.

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17.4%

Mississippians employed in agriculture, either directly or indirectly

34,700

farms cover the state across 10.4 million acres

Top 5

Poultry Producer in the U.S.

Greenwood, MS is commonly known as the “Cotton Capital of the World”

Major Employers

Employers in the food and beverage industry in Mississippi run the gamut from small, hometown operations to regional farms. Learn more about the companies that provide food and drink in Mississippi and beyond.

It takes a sustainable state to feed a nation

Research in resource protection is guaranteeing a healthy and sustainable future

Did you know that there are approximately 34,700 farms in Mississippi that cover 10.4 million acres of land? Agriculture is Mississippi’s number one industry, and we know how important it is to protect our resources to make sure we can continue feeding the nation. Companies like SumaGrow and Humic Growth Solutions support our farmers and food producers through sustainability research and enhancements. From dedicated farmers to researchers, there’s no doubt that Mississippi is the perfect environment for growth.

Household brand names

Mississippi shelf goods and staple products in kitchens across America

Head to your kitchen and we guarantee you’ll find some made-in-Mississippi products on your shelves. Borden dairy, Tyson chicken, Pirouline cookies, Calbee snacks and Ben’s Original rice all come from the Magnolia State. Our food processing and manufacturing facilities employ over 30,000 Mississippians across more than 250 food processing facilities.

Nutrition down to a science

University research is propelling Mississippi forward

Food processors and manufacturers in Mississippi benefit from the state’s extensive research in agricultural sciences. Mississippi State University conducts food safety tests and hosts the Center for Food Safety and Post-Harvest Technology, a USDA-ARS sponsored research program.

Chief Economic Development Officer

Bill Cork

Email: bcork@mississippi.org

Phone: (555) 555-5555

Workforce

With two universities offering robust agricultural programs (Mississippi State University and Alcorn State University), Mississippi talent keeps on flowing just like the river. About 17.4% of the state’s workforce is in the agricultural industry.

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