Hickman’s CEO explains what sale to multinational conglomerate means for Valley egg ranch

PHOENIX – With a multinational conglomerate gobbling up Hickman’s Family Farms, Arizona shoppers might be wondering about the future of the renowned local egg brand.

The Hickman family has been selling eggs since 1944, and the Buckeye-based company grew over eight decades to become one of the nation’s 20 largest producers. But when the avian flu shattered the egg industry earlier this year, the family business was all but destroyed.

“The trauma of going from 6 million chickens down to nothing in a period of three weeks is more than our family wants to take a chance on again,” Glenn Hickman, the company’s president and CEO, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Monday.

Egg prices hit record highs earlier this year due to shortages caused by the bird flu. Prices have since come down, but the disease remains a real threat to egg farmers.

“We see no sign of abatement here,” Hickman said. “The federal government has declined to get involved and try to figure out solutions and protections for our flock.”

What happens to Hickman’s local operations after sale?

The West Valley egg magnate said the decision to sell to Mantiqueira USA in a deal announced Friday wasn’t taken lightly. Mantiqueira USA is a joint venture between Brazilian egg company Mantiqueira and JBS N.V., a Netherlands-based global food giant.

“JBS is huge in the poultry sector, the beef sector and the pork sector, and they have decided they want to expand into the United States and the egg business, and they’ve selected our company to provide that launch pad,” Hickman said.

The sale isn’t just a transfer of assets, the CEO explained.

“Hickman’s egg ranch will still exist in its entirety,” he said. “So, if you enjoyed high-quality, fresh, locally produced eggs yesterday, you’ll enjoy them tomorrow and the day after and the day after.”

Hickman expressed confidence that the business will be in good hands, saying any changes “will be positive for our customers and our community.”

“I think the new ownership will help restore our flocks. They will help get us back to full production. And, in fact, they’ll be expanding,” he said.

“So, we’re not moving. Our offices will be their national headquarters, and I feel like they’re going to continue to expand and do great things.”

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