There can be no denying that egg consumption around the world continues to rise, and it is by responding to demand for the cheapest of animal proteins that the companies listed in our top 10 have grown to where they are today.
However, for those companies operating in more mature markets, such as the U.S. and Europe, recent decades have seen consumers’ tastes become more demanding, and the leading producers have had to adapt to hold on to their leadership positions.
For those in Asia, simply satisfying growing demand with a safe and nutritious product has been the key driver of growth. China’s egg production, for example, grew by almost 33% between 2009 and 2019 as companies there responded to growing rising incomes. Asian consumers, however, are now becoming more demanding.
In contrast, the leading companies in North America are no longer able to simply increase output. Rather than simply producing more eggs, companies in North America have to change their production methods as the public demands eggs from cage-free or other production systems.
Some started this journey earlier than others, but for many producers in the region, a significant amount of expenditure and upheaval still lies ahead.
How many eggs?
The latest data from the World’s Top Poultry Companies survey reveals that, measured by flock size, to enter the top 10 a company must own at least 15 million hens. To be at the top of the ranking, however, it must own at least three times that number. The world’s 10 largest egg producers own more birds than there are people in the word’s fifth-most populous country, Pakistan -- that’s a lot of hens to feed and a lot of eggs to pack.
Some of the world’s leading egg producers are publicly listed while others are still family concerns. At least one can trace its roots back more than 100 years, while others are relative newcomers. All, however, can expect their markets to continue to grow and become more sophisticated
Where newcomers are concerned, Beijing Deqingyuan Agricultural Technology Co. Ltd, with 20.6 million laying hens, is the fifth-largest egg producer in the world, despite only being formed at the start of the century, and is an interesting example of a forward-looking company.
It is the only Chinese company to appear in the top 10, despite China being the world’s largest egg-producing company for 40 years. The company has been able to take advantage of the country’s rising incomes and increased demand for eggs. However, at the same time, it has tapped into the more sophisticated consumer with branding and its commitments to sustainability and the environment, positioning itself well as consumers demand more than simply a commodity egg.
Egg producers in developed markets no longer need to simply produce more eggs to maintain their positions; changes in consumer tastes are necessitating more sophisticated products. (Mark Clements)
1. Cal-Maine Foods
Cal-Maine Foods, with 44.3 million layers, is the world’s largest egg producing company. The publicly listed U.S. company, headquartered in Mississippi, serves the North American market and operates exclusively in the production, grading, packaging, marketing and distribution of shell eggs.
For the fiscal year 2020, Cal-Maine’s net sales were $1,351.6 million. It has grown organically and through acquisition, completing 22 acquisitions between 1989 and mid-2021. Recent purchases have included the egg production assets of Mahard Egg Farm and Featherland Egg Farm.
In recent years, the company has been transitioning its layer houses to cage-free production and continues to expand in this area.
2. Proteina Animal (PROAN)
With 36 million layers, Mexico’s Proteina Animal (PROAN) ranks as the world’s second largest egg producer when measured by flock size.
The Jalisco-based company, which sells into the North American market, produces table eggs and egg products and has its own feed operations. Using Bovan layers, the company layer flock has expanded by 20% since 2016.
The company, located in the country with the highest per capita egg consumption in the world, also produces milk, pork, bread and packaging.
3. Rose Acre Farms
Owning 27.6 million layers puts the U.S.’s Rose Acre Farms at third place in the top 10. The Indiana-based company produces table eggs and egg products and operates 17 facilities across eight U.S. states.
The company notes that it oversees all of its processes from laying to processing, and feed production to packaging and shipping.
In 2021, the family-owned business sold its holding in Red River Valley Egg Farm to joint owner Cal-Maine. Red River Valley Egg Farm, established by the two companies in 2015, is home to 1.7 million cage-free layers.
4. CP Group
Thailand’s CP Group is the owner of 22 million laying hens. Headquartered in Bangkok, the largest privately owned company in Thailand produces table eggs and egg products, but is also a major chicken and duck producer and serves the Asian market.
CP’s egg production forms part of an extensive network of agrifood holdings operating primarily in Asia and Europe. The company has expanded significantly overseas over recent years and broadened its activities, entering into areas as diverse as logistics, finance and pharmaceuticals.
5. Beijing Dequingyuan Agricultural Technology Co. Ltd.
Beijing Deqingyuan Agricultural Technology Co. Ltd., with 20.6 million laying hens, is the fifth-largest egg producer in the world. Headquartered in Beijing, the company produces table eggs with a strong emphasis on branding and sustainability. Founded as recently as 2000, the company sells in China and into Hong Kong.
Beijing Dequingyuan Agricultural Technology Co. Ltd. claims to be the only vertically integrated egg producer in China with grandparent stock, parent stock and commercial layers.
The company has been a recipient of the International Egg Commission’s Crystal Egg Award, granted in recognition of outstanding commitment to corporate the social responsibility.
6. Versova Holdings L.L.P.
The U.S.’s Versova Holdings L.L.P., based in Iowa, is the sixth largest egg producer in the world and owner of 20.1 million birds. Formed in 2016, the holding is the third largest egg producer in the U.S. and produces eggs and egg products. The company produces cage and cage-free eggs.
7. Hillandale Farms
With 20 million birds, Hillandale Farms, of Pennsylvania, is the U.S.’ fourth largest egg producer, and ranks in a tie for seventh globally. Its production facilities are in the Northeast, Midwest and Southeast of the country and it distributes throughout the eastern U.S.
In 2016, the company announced that it would move to cage-free housing systems with all existing facilities to be replaced and all further expansion being cage free.
Producing table eggs and egg products, the family-owned company also produces butter, cheese, meats and breads.
7. Ise Inc.
Also in seventh position is Ise Inc. of Japan. The Tokyo-based company has a flock of 20 million layers and is active in Japan, China and the U.S. Ise America has 6 million layers, its own feed facility and has a 65% market share in New York.
The company, in existence for more than 100 years, produces eggs and egg products and is reportedly investing heavily in China.
9. Daybreak Foods
The U.S.’ Daybreak Foods, based in Wisconsin, produces shell eggs and egg products and is the owner of 15 million hens. The family-owned business opened its first cage-free facility in 2019 and a second in 2021.
10. Arab Company for Livestock Development (ACOLID)
Saudi Arabia’s ACOLID, based in Riyadh, owns 14.4 million layers. The company produces table eggs and chicken meat and is owned by 11 Arab states and an investment firm to support the Arab Food Security Programs. The company owns 39 operating units, including several poultry subsidiaries involved in breeding, table and hatching egg production. The company is also active in broiler meat and sheep meat production, among other areas.
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