Exhibit (23)

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.

We consent to the  incorporation  by  reference in the  registration  statements
(Nos.  333-109769  and  333-29159) on Form S-3 and the  registration  statements
(Nos. 33-60909, 333-91405,  333-51666, 333-117308 and 333-125719) on Form S-8 of
EastGroup  Properties,  Inc. of our reports dated March 8, 2006, with respect to
the consolidated balance sheets of EastGroup Properties, Inc. as of December 31,
2005 and 2004,  and the related  consolidated  statements of income,  changes in
stockholders'  equity  and cash  flows for each of the  years in the  three-year
period ended December 31, 2005, and the related  financial  statement  schedule,
management's  assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2005 and the effectiveness of internal control over
financial  reporting  as of  December  31,  2005,  which  reports  appear in the
December 31, 2005 annual report on Form 10-K of EastGroup Properties, Inc.

Jackson, Mississippi                            KPMG LLP
March 8, 2006