JBS US venture buys Hickman’s Egg Ranch

Group 1: Acquisition Overview - Mantiqueira USA has acquired Hickman's Egg Ranch, marking its formal entry into the US egg market [1][2] - Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed [1] - The acquisition aligns with Mantiqueira USA's long-term strategy to establish a scalable presence in the US egg sector [2] Group 2: Company Background - Mantiqueira USA is a joint venture between the Pinto family and JBS, with JBS holding a 50% stake since January [1] - The company operates across six Brazilian states, employing over 3,000 people and has a capacity for 17.5 million laying and rearing birds [3] - Mantiqueira's brands include Happy Eggs and Fazenda da Toca, and it exports to markets in South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East [4] Group 3: Strategic Implications - The acquisition is seen as a way to leverage Hickman's heritage, quality, and customer relationships alongside Mantiqueira's global experience and resources [3] - JBS's CEO in the US highlighted the deal as an expansion into a new protein category, creating synergies that enhance collaboration and innovation [4][5] - The partnership is expected to deliver significant value to customers across the US [5]