The top 5 egg producers in the U.S. account for 126.92 million of the 270.93 million hens accounted for in the top 25 at the end of 2020 according to data from Egg Industry’s Top Egg Company Survey, which is part of WATT Global Media’s database on the world’s leading broiler, turkey and egg producers.
Below you can find a brief bio on each company along with its top leaders.
1. Cal-Maine Foods, 44.26 million hens
The largest producer and marketer of shell eggs in the United States, Cal-Maine Foods had 44.26 million laying hens as of December 31, 2020. Fred R. Adams Jr. founded Adams Egg Co. in 1957, which was the predecessor to Cal-Maine Foods Inc., in 1969. According to the company website, “In fiscal 2020, we sold approximately 1,069 million dozen shell eggs, which we believe represented approximately 19% of domestic shell egg consumption.” The company is based out of Jackson, Mississippi.
The company’s executives include:
- Adolphus B. Baker, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors.
- Sherman Miller, president, chief operations officer and director.
- Max Bowman, vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer, secretary and director.
2. Rose Acre Farms, 27.60 million hens
Rose Acre Farms is the second largest egg company in the U.S., ranked by number of layers. In addition to table eggs, Rose Acre Farms produces a variety of egg products ranging from liquid eggs and dried eggs to egg protein powder. Founded in the 1930’s the company started with 500 hens. It now has 17 facilities in eight states. The company is headquartered in Seymour, Indiana.
Company executives include:
- Marcus Rust, chief executive officer.
- Tony Wesner, chief operations officer.
- Greg Hinton, vice president of sales.
3. Versova Holdings L.L.P., 20.06 million hens
Versova Holdings, formed in 2016, is comprised of Centrum Valley Farms, Trillium Farms and Iowa Cage Free. It produces caged and cage-free white and brown eggs, along with liquid egg products.
The operations executives include:
- Jim Dean, chief executive officer.
- J.T. Dean, president.
- Craig Rowles, director of cage-free operations.
4. Hillandale Farms, 20.00 million hens
Founded in 1958, Hillandale Farms has production facilities in the Northeast, Midwest and Southeast and supplies retailers and distributors throughout the eastern U.S. Along with eggs, the company also offers butter, cheese, meats and breads. It is an Eggland’s Best franchisee.
The operation is led by:
- Steve Vendemia, president.
5. Daybreak Foods, 15.00 million hens
Daybreak Foods Inc. is privately held and is involved in shell egg and egg products production. It produces conventional white eggs, cage-free eggs and liquid egg products. The founder of Daybreak Foods was Robert C. Rehm. It is based in Lake Mills, Wisconsin.
Daybreak Foods executives include:
- Willian Rehm, president and chief executive officer.
- Jerry Welch, vice president of operations.
To read each company's full profile click here.
