EXHIBIT 99.1

                       (SANDERSON FARMS, INC. LETTERHEAD)


                     CONTACT:   MIKE COCKRELL
                                TREASURER & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                                (601) 649-4030


                         SANDERSON FARMS, INC. RESPONDS
                        TO INQUIRIES REGARDING FDA LETTER


LAUREL, Miss. (April 14, 2004) -- Sanderson Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ/NM:SAFM) today
reported that on Friday, April 9, 2004, it received a "warning letter" from the
New Orleans District Office of the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA")
regarding Sanderson's feed mill operations in Gallman, Mississippi. The letter
relates to a routine FDA inspection of the Gallman facility conducted in January
2004, and lists alleged compliance deficiencies.

         In January, immediately after receiving the FDA's inspection report,
Sanderson Farms responded in writing to the FDA and took corrective and
preventive action addressing the issues raised by the FDA. Sanderson further
offered to provide documentation supporting those actions. FDA's letter of last
week, dated April 7, recounts the January observations and requests additional
documentation with regard to the corrective and preventive actions taken by the
company. On April 9, 2004, Sanderson provided FDA with the requested information
and is confident that its Gallman operations comply with all applicable FDA
requirements. The company expects no further action by FDA in connection with
this matter.

         Sanderson has a long history of regulatory compliance and is fully
committed to continuing that obligation.

         Sanderson Farms, Inc. is engaged in the production, processing,
marketing and distribution of fresh and frozen chicken and other prepared food
items. Its shares trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol SAFM.

         This press release contains forward-looking statements based on
management's current views and assumptions. Actual results and events may
differ. For a discussion of these matters, please refer to the "Cautionary
Statement Regarding Risks and Uncertainties That May Affect Future Performance"
in Item 7 of the Company's 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K and please refer to
the cautionary statement found in Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the heading "General" in
Part I, Item 2 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Company's first
quarter ended January 31, 2004.