USA – Cal-Maine Foods, the largest egg producer in the United States, is set to invest US$40 million to boost its cage-free egg production.
The company plans to construct five new cage-free layer houses across multiple states, including Florida, Georgia, Utah, and Texas, with the new facilities set to replace its older cage-based operations.
The construction will begin by the end of 2024, aiming to add 1 million cage-free hens to its production by late summer 2025.
In addition to these plans, Cal-Maine is moving forward with expanding its operations in Dexter, Missouri.
The company will repurpose a former Tyson Foods plant for shell egg production, working alongside local growers to introduce another 1.2 million free-range hens by fall 2025.
Future expansions in the area are expected.
Egg producers across the country are shifting toward cage-free systems as more states prepare to ban conventional housing by 2026.
California has already enacted legislation requiring all eggs sold within the state to come from cage-free hens.
Cage-free egg production has surged over the past decade.
As of March 2024, 40% of the U.S. egg-laying hens were cage-free, a significant increase from just 5% in 2012.
However, the industry has faced challenges, including outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, which have disrupted supply and driven up egg prices, particularly in California.
Cal-Maine has seen a sharp rise in profits due to tighter egg supplies.
The company reported that its first-quarter sales nearly doubled compared to the same period last year, with a 20% increase in sales of specialty eggs such as organic and cage-free varieties.
This news follows the company’s announcement in early September, where they announced a US$6.75 million investment in Crepini LLC, an egg product and prepared food manufacturer based in Hopewell Junction, New York.
The funds will be used to acquire new equipment and other assets, with Cal-Maine taking a 51% ownership stake in the venture.
Crepini, which will continue operating under the name Crepini Foods LLC, specializes in producing egg-based wraps, protein pancakes, and crepes, distributing its products both online and through over 3,500 retail outlets across the U.S. and Mexico.
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