Cal-Maine to Acquire Pilgrim’s Pride Egg Production

Cal-Maine Foods Inc. announced July 18 that it has reached an agreement to acquire the commercial egg operations of Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. The assets to be purchased by Cal-Maine Foods include two production complexes with capacity for approximately 1.4 million laying hens in addition to the adjacent land located near Pittsburg, Texas. Cal-Maine expects to close the transaction in August 2012.

Dolph Baker, president and CEO of Cal-Maine, said, “Cal-Maine Foods is very pleased to announce this acquisition. Pilgrim’s Pride has an excellent reputation and strong brand recognition with a well-established customer base. These production facilities will complement our existing operations in Texas.”

Jackson, Miss.-based Cal-Maine focuses on the production, grading, packing and sale of fresh shell eggs, including conventional, cage-free, organic and nutritionally-enhanced eggs. It is the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the United States and sells the majority of its shell eggs in approximately 29 states across the Southwestern, Southeastern, Midwestern and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.