Mantiqueira USA, co-owned by meat giant JBS, has announced its acquisition of fellow US egg producer Hickman’s Egg Ranch. While the financial terms of this acquisition remain undisclosed, the move marks Mantiqueira USA’s official entry into the competitive food and beverage industry.
Earlier this year, Mantiqueira USA was established through a joint venture between the Pinto family, founders of the South American egg company Mantiqueira, and JBS. Notably, JBS acquired a 50% stake in Mantiqueira earlier in January.
This acquisition signifies a strategic step for Mantiqueira USA as it aims to solidify its presence in the US egg market. The partners have expressed a “long-term strategy to build a strong, scalable presence in the US egg sector.”
Leandro Pinto, founder of Mantiqueira, emphasized the significance of this acquisition: “Expanding into the United States has long been a vision for our family, and taking this step through the acquisition of Hickman’s makes this moment especially meaningful.”
Mantiqueira USA has lauded Hickman’s as a “leading” egg producer, particularly in the Mountain and West Coast regions, and as one of the “top 20 egg companies” in the United States. Murilo Scarpa Pinto, president of Mantiqueira USA, stated, “Launching MTQ USA through this acquisition creates a strong foundation built on complementary strengths. Hickman’s heritage, quality, and customer relationships—paired with global experience and resources—enable us to provide exceptional service and grow with purpose.”
Mantiqueira operates across six Brazilian states, employing over 3,000 individuals with the capacity for 17.5 million laying and rearing birds. The company also boasts brands like Happy Eggs and Fazenda da Toca, and exports to markets in South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Wesley Batista Filho, chief executive of JBS in the US, commented on the strategic importance of this acquisition: “This deal is expanding our presence into a new and complementary protein category. By partnering with the Pinto Family through MTQ USA, we are creating strong synergies that will enhance collaboration, improve efficiency, and accelerate innovation. Hickman’s brings decades of experience and credibility in the American egg industry, and together we see significant opportunity to deliver more value to customers across the country.”
In light of these developments, it is worth noting that the US government has recently launched an investigation into alleged price-fixing in the meatpacking industry, as requested by President Donald Trump. The US Department of Justice has not disclosed specific companies under scrutiny, although a White House statement identified JBS, Cargill, Tyson Foods, and National Beef—companies that collectively control about 85% of US beef processing.
In conclusion, the acquisition underscores Mantiqueira USA’s commitment to growth and innovation in the food and drink business, positioning itself to capitalize on evolving food and drink consumer trends.
