Mantiqueira USA, the US egg supplier co-owned by meat giant JBS, has struck a deal to acquire local peer Hickman’s Egg Ranch.

Financial terms were not disclosed. 

Mantiqueira USA is an egg producer and distributor established earlier this year via a joint venture between the Pinto family, who founded Mantiqueira, a South American egg company, and Brazil-based JBS.

JBS acquired a 50% stake in Mantiqueira in January.  

The deal represents Mantiqueira USA's formal entry into the US market. The partners say they have a "long-term strategy to build a strong, scalable presence" in the US egg sector.

Leandro Pinto, the founder of Mantiqueira, said: “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.” 

In a statement, Mantiqueira USA described Hickman’s as a “leading” producer catering to the Mountain and West Coast regions and among the “top 20 egg companies” in the US.

Murilo Scarpa Pinto, the president of Mantiqueira USA, said: “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, resources and scale – give us the ability to provide exceptional service and grow with purpose.” 

Mantiqueira operates across six Brazilian states, employs more than 3,000 people and has capacity for 17.5 million laying and rearing birds.  

The company's brands include Happy Eggs and Fazenda da Toca. It exports to other markets in South America, as well as Asia, Africa and the Middle East. 

Wesley Batista Filho, the chief executive of JBS's business in the US, said the deal is “expanding our presence into a new and complementary protein category”.  

He added: “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.”

Last week, the US government announced an investigation into alleged price fixing by meatpacking companies at the behest of President Donald Trump.

The US Department of Justice has not disclosed which companies might come under scrutiny. 

However, a statement from the White House identified four companies in a footnote – JBS, Cargill, Tyson Foods and National Beef. They control about 85% of US beef processing, compared to 36% in 1980, according to the notice.