The International Egg Commission documents hen numbers in member countries with more accuracy and usually reflecting the previous year thanks to the diligence of Prof. Dr. Hans Windhorst.
The question arises as to the ranking of the largest individual egg production companies in the World. Enquiries in December 2011 directed to primary breeders, equipment manufacturers and industry contacts, provided a glimpse into the size and strength of the top contenders. These integrated Companies operate numerous complexes which achieve economies of scale and enjoy market strength through volume and product diversity and differentiation according to the demographics of their domestic and export markets served.
The ranking of the top companies in terms of number of hens* effective January 1st 2012 is indicated below:
|
Rank
|
Company
|
Country
|
Hens in production (million)
|
|
1
|
Cal-Maine Foods
|
USA
|
29
|
|
2
|
Avangard Holdings
|
Ukraine
|
22
|
|
3
|
Proteina Animal
|
Mexico
|
20
|
|
4
|
Rose Acre Farms
|
USA
|
18
|
|
5
|
Moark LLC
|
USA
|
15
|
|
6
|
Bachoco
|
Mexico
|
13
|
|
7
|
Rembrandt Enterprises
|
USA
|
11
|
|
8
|
Hillandale Group
|
USA
|
10
|
|
9
|
Michael Foods
|
USA
|
10
|
|
10
|
Sparboe Foods
|
USA
|
9
|
|
11
|
Mantiquera Agronegocios
|
Brazil
|
9
|
|
12
|
Itanhandu
|
Brazil
|
9
|
|
13
|
Productos Avicolas el Calvario
|
Mexico
|
8
|
There are many producers in the 7-9 million hen category including Osama Yabuta (Brazil); ISE (Japan); Industrias Guadalupe (Mexico); El Calvario (Mexico); Center Fresh Group (USA).
*NOTE:- Since flocks are in a constant cycle of placement and depletion the actual number of hens in a given week may fluctuate by approximately 3% to 5% from the values listed above.
It is significant that among the 183 million hens represented in the list of 13 producers, 161 million or 88% are located in the US and Mexico. This attributed to free enterprise and unrestricted market opportunity in the US and to the situation regarding land holding and availability of capital in Mexico.
Avangard Holdings of the Ukraine represents a surprise as the second-ranked company in the World. This Enterprise has developed rapidly since the transition to a free-market economy in that Nation and operates modern facilities. The Company is able to use domestic grain which is in plentiful supply and has developed both local and export markets for shell eggs and egg products.
All the top contenders appear to have the common characteristic of foundation by gifted entrepreneurs who recognized the need for eggs and were able to apply technology and management acumen to achieve growth through acquisition and organic expansion. Subsequent articles will review the individual strengths, structure and factors contributing to size and success in highly competitive and price sensitive markets.
Source: www.egg-cite.com
