Cal-Maine Foods, a US-based egg producer, has reported that its net sales increased by 13.26% to $328.8m for the second quarter of 2013, compared to $290.3m for the same period in the previous year.
For the period ended 1 December 2012, the company's net income decreased by 38.7% to $14.2m, or $0.60 per basic share, compared to $23.2m, or $0.97 per basic share, for the corresponding period in the earlier year.
Cal-Maine Foods chairman, president and chief executive officer Dolph Baker said that the higher sales reflect a 9.1% growth in dozens sold and a 4% increase in average selling prices compared with the second quarter of fiscal 2012.
"Our profitability for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 was adversely affected by higher costs for corn and soybean meal, our primary feed ingredients, and additional expenses related to recent acquisitions," Baker said.
The specialty egg sales accounted for 16.4% of dozens sold and 22.9% of total shell egg sales revenue for the quarter.
Specialty eggs are primary area of focus for the company as these continue to gain popularity with consumers looking for healthy choices and have higher and less cyclical retail selling prices, Baker added.
Cal-Maine Foods is involved in the production, grading, packing and sale of shell eggs, including conventional, cage-free, organic and nutritionally-enhanced eggs.
