Mantiqueira USA has entered a binding agreement to acquire Hickman’s Egg Ranch, which has locations in Arizona, including the West Valley.

“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,” said Leandro Pinto, founder of Mantiqueira.

Hickman’s lost most of its chicken to bird flu earlier this year, and company officials said the loss of about 6 million birds resulted in the first time in 81 years that the company had been unable to fulfill 100% of customer demands.

“Our family has spent generations building a company rooted in excellence and integrity,” Glenn Hickman, President & CEO, Hickman’s Egg Ranch, said in a release.

 “We are confident that this transition will bring even greater opportunities to our customers, employees and partners.”

MTQ USA operates as a joint venture between the Pinto Family, founders of Mantiqueira, and JBS N.V., one of the world’s leading food companies. 

The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year, according to the release.

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