Cal-Maine Foods, the largest egg company in the United States, plans to enhance its growth by expanding specialty eggs and prepared foods across multiple platforms, based on positive results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026.
The company also reported a net income of $199.3 million in the quarter, up by 32.9 percent. Diluted earnings per share increased by 34.6 percent, to $4.12.
“We delivered our strongest first quarter in company history, aided by higher specialty egg sales, the expansion of our prepared foods platform, and supported by solid performance in conventional eggs,” Sherman Miller, president and CEO of Cal-Maine Foods, said in the report.
“Cal-Maine Foods enters fiscal 2026 from a position of strength and is a uniquely attractive combination of both value and growth in today’s food sector.”
Miller said that the company will now advance as a diversified and consumer-driven egg-based food provider with three key priorities: expanding specialty eggs and prepared foods, pursuing accretive mergers and acquisitions, and leveraging operational and financial excellence.
“Executing on these strategic priorities in unison is driving tangible results, and positioning us for accelerated growth, broader diversification, and stronger, more consistent earnings,” Miller said.
Accounting for 30.7 percent of net sales in the first quarter, special eggs include cage-free, organic, brown, free-range, pasture-raised, and nutritionally enhanced brands.
Cage-free and pasture-raised eggs were most popular among consumers, resulting in double-digit dollar and volume gains. Sales at retail stores advanced at a single-digit pace, while food service outlets posted double-digit gains.
Cal-Maine’s egg brands include Eggland’s Best, Land O’Lakes, Farmhouse Eggs, 4-Grain, Sunups, Sunny Meadow, MeadowCreek Foods, and Crepini.
On a national scale, the company’s Eggland’s Best brand maintained its position as the top branded specialty egg in the country during the first quarter.
The firm’s prepared egg products feature pre-cooked egg patties, omelets, folded and scrambled eggs, hard-cooked eggs, pancakes, and waffles. Together, Cal-Maine’s eggs and prepared foods represented nearly 40 percent of its net sales in the first quarter.
Most recently, Cal-Maine acquired Echo Lake Foods and Crepini Foods as part of its expansion into the prepared food market.
“I’m proud to share that our acquisition of Echo Lake Foods is on track to exceed every financial and operational expectation set at the time of the transaction,” Miller said.
He noted that the company will invest $14.8 million into a new high-speed pancake production line at its Burlington, Wisconsin, facility. That expansion will add 12 million pounds of annual pancake capacity.
According to the company report, egg consumption continues to grow across the United States, with specialty eggs and prepared food options earning an increasing market share, as consumers choose products with enhanced quality and added convenience.
“Looking ahead, we see a clear and compelling long-term growth trajectory for Cal-Maine Foods as we continue to execute on our strategic priorities. Specialty eggs and prepared foods are delivering today and are value drivers for the future,” Miller noted.
Headquartered in Ridgeland, Mississippi, Cal-Maine is the largest egg company in the United States, serving both retail and food service customers nationwide.
