Cal-Maine Foods—the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the United States—has announced a definitive agreement to acquire a broiler processing plant, hatchery, and feed mill in Dexter, Missouri, that was closed by Tyson Foods in October, 2023, and had employed about 700 people. Cal-Maine plans to repurpose the assets for egg and egg products production, according to the company. The deal is expected to close this spring during Cal-Maine's third fiscal quarter.
Those at Cal-Maine say they'll initially convert the broiler processing plant to an egg grading facility, and they anticipate making additional investments while creating job opportunities for the surrounding community. Potential future expansion plans include egg product processing capabilities, such as hard-cooked eggs. In connection with the acquisition, Cal-Maine Foods expects to enter into agreements with some of Tyson’s former contract farmers to convert their operations to support Cal-Maine's cage- free, free-range, or pasture-raised egg production operations.
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"This transaction is consistent with our growth strategy to expand our business through selective acquisitions in addition to our organic growth initiatives," says Sherman Miller, president and CEO of Cal-Maine Foods. "The Dexter location offers an important opportunity to expand our geographic footprint and enhance our ability to serve our valued customers with added production and distribution capabilities in Missouri and surrounding markets. We look forward to working with the Tyson team to close the transaction and to work with the contract growers who will support our shell egg production capabilities. As we extend our market reach, we remain focused on the efficient and sustainable management of our existing and acquired operations and meeting the demands of our customers.”
Cal-Maine Foods is headquartered in Ridgeland, Mississippi, and specializes in the production, grading, packaging, marketing, and distribution of fresh shell eggs, including conventional, cage-free, organic, brown, free-range, pasture-raised and nutritionally enhanced eggs.
