STARKVILLE, Miss. -- 2024 marks the 30th consecutive year for poultry to outperform every other agricultural commodity in Mississippi, and for the second time in three years, its farm gate value fell just shy of $4 billion.

“We have seen a ramp-up in both broiler and table egg production in 2024 compared to production rates seen in 2023,” said Jonathan Moon, poultry specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. “This increase in meat and egg production directly impacts the value of the state’s commercial poultry industry.”

Poultry generated more than $3.8 billion -- its second-best recorded yearly total and a 10.5% increase over 2023. The broiler production value rose nearly 6% to $3.3 billion, while egg production totals increased almost 58% to $484 million. Only 2022 saw a higher poultry production value for the state at $3.9 billion.

MSU Extension agricultural economists compile production value estimates for agricultural commodities on an annual basis. Josh Maples, one of these economists, said broiler production’s rebound from 2023 was a major contributor to the stronger value of production total.

“Price was up slightly, but this is really more of a production story,” Maples said. “Mississippi produced an estimated 731 million broiler chickens in 2024, which is 3% higher than in 2023. It is not out of the question that the industry could hit a $4 billion total value of production sometime in the next five years.”

Like in most agricultural sectors, rising production costs continue to be a significant issue for the poultry industry.

“Producers have faced inflation in many key costs such as building materials and insurance,” Maples said. “Grain prices were more favorable in 2024 which provided some relief, but overall costs of operation are still very high.”

One input that producers are not paying as much for lately is feed ingredients.

“Feed ingredient prices have been much lower, closer to a historical normal, which equates to more profitability in the industry for both the broiler and table egg industry,” Moon said. “Feed ingredient price fluctuations also definitely influence the price of eggs on the shelf at the local grocery store, but prices remain on the higher end mainly due to supply and demand.”

Moon said extra costs for Mississippi poultry producers include rising property taxes and insurance premiums.

“The reason there has been an increase in property taxes is due to the fact that there has not been an inflation adjustment to property in the past 10 years,” Moon said. “The adjustments will be phased in. Producers in certain counties have seen the increase this year, and the remaining counties will see the increase in 2025.”

Higher egg prices were felt throughout the supply chain. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports the average wholesale price of eggs averaged nearly $3 per dozen during 2024 overall and closer to $4 in November and December -- a 50% increase.

“Egg prices are very influenced by seasonal patterns driven by holiday demand,” Maples said. “Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter are big holidays that drive demand. I do expect a decline in egg prices as we hit the middle of 2025. The USDA is projecting 2025 average prices to decline back to 2023 levels.”

Another key driver is lower supply due to lower numbers of layer chickens. Moon said highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, was a contributor to the lower layer chicken totals.

“HPAI has taken a toll on the total number of commercial layers in the field across the country, which also directly affects the price of eggs at your local grocery store,” Moon said. “Luckily, we didn’t have any issues with HPAI to speak of this year, but it is definitely something that requires our utmost attention.”