Exhibit 99.1

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Sanderson Farms, Inc. (the "Company") on
Form  10-K for the  year  ended  October  31,  2002  (the  "Report"),  I, Joe F.
Sanderson,  Jr.,  President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,  certify
that:

   (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
       15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

   (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
       material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of
       the Company.



/s/ Joe F. Sanderson, Jr.
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Joe F. Sanderson, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
December 27, 2002