The North Carolina poultry industry's final point sales exceeded the value of 2.3 billion dollars in 1993. Of that amount, 63 percent is attributed to broiler production and processing, 34 percent to turkeys production and processing, and 3 percent to commercial eggs. Poultry industry was the source of employment for 19,821 North Carolinians, generating a total annual payroll of 332 million dollars. In addition, the poultry industry made payments of almost $215 million to 4,118 contract growers. i In 1993 the industry produced 586 million broilers which represents an increase of 5.5 percent over the previous year. Total live weight produced amounted to 3 billion pounds. Total processed weight was close to 2.4 billion pounds. The final point of sale value for the broiler complex equals 1.4 billion dollars, an increase of 5.4 % over 1992. Payments to broiler contract growers increased 5 percent to $147 million. Turkey production in 1993 reached almost 65 million birds, ah increase of over 11 percent from the previous year. Total number of turkeys processed was close to 53 million, and the processed meat production has reached 953 million pounds. Turkey complex recorded the final point of sale value of $795 million, an 8.3 percent increase over 1992. There were 891 contract growers involved in turkey production collecting close to $62 million. Compared to 1992, the table egg industry experienced no Significant change in 1993. Production remained at about 1.6 billion eggs with the market value of $70 million.