Is South Carolina the leading producer of catfish?

South Carolina produces a significant amount of catfish, but it is not the leading producer in the United States. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the top five catfish-producing states in 2021 were:

1. Mississippi

2. Alabama

3. Arkansas

4. Louisiana

5. North Carolina

South Carolina ranked sixth in the nation for catfish production in 2021. While the state has a thriving catfish industry, it does not hold the top spot for production.