Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 were
“Following the 2015 avian influenza (AI)-related laying hen losses, producers repopulated their flocks and the younger, more productive hen population produced a higher number of eggs. Total supply still remained high through the first quarter in relation to overall market demand trends. According to Nielsen data, retail demand has been in line with normal seasonal trends and continues to show year-over-year improvement. However, lower institutional demand for egg products and reduced export demand have resulted in an oversupply environment and created additional pricing pressures. The USDA reports that shell egg exports have returned to historical levels since the beginning of calendar 2017, but are still below the peak levels reached prior to the AI outbreak. We are encouraged that the export outlook has improved for both shell eggs and egg products. While overall market conditions are more favorable than a year ago, we do not expect any sustained improvement in pricing until we have a more stable supply and demand balance. The most recent USDA reports indicate the chick hatch has been trending down for most of the past year compared with the previous year, which could influence future supply levels.
“Specialty eggs, excluding co-pack sales, accounted for 21.7 percent of our total sales volume for the first quarter of fiscal 2018, compared with 22.9 percent for the same period a year ago. Specialty egg revenue was 39.6 percent of total shell egg revenues, compared with 46.7 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The average selling price for specialty eggs was down 4.8 percent compared with the first quarter of last year.
“Our specialty egg business remains an important area of focus for our growth strategy, and we have made investments in our operations and production capacity to meet expected demand trends. As reported, many food service providers, national restaurant chains and major retailers, including our largest customers, have made public commitments to transition away from conventional eggs and exclusively offer cage-free eggs by future specified dates. However, the higher price gap between conventional eggs and specialty eggs has resulted in reduced demand for specialty eggs. We have adjusted our production levels in line with current customer demand for cage-free eggs, and we are well positioned to increase our capacity when demand trends change. Above all, we will continue to support our customers with a favorable product mix that includes cage-free eggs, as well as other healthy and affordable options for consumers including conventional, nutritionally enhanced and organic eggs.”
Baker added, “Our operations ran well during the summer months, and our farm production costs per dozen were down 6.1 percent over the prior-year period. We remain focused on managing our operations in an efficient and responsible manner, regardless of market conditions. While the recent hurricanes that hit
“For the first quarter of fiscal 2018, our feed costs per dozen produced were down 13.0 percent compared with a year ago, as we benefited from favorable supplies of grain from last fall. While grain prices have been volatile, this year’s USDA harvest estimates indicate we should have an ample supply of our primary feed ingredients in fiscal 2018,” said Baker.
Pursuant to Cal-Maine Foods’ variable dividend policy, for each quarter for which the Company reports net income, the Company pays a cash dividend to shareholders in an amount equal to one-third of such quarterly income. Following a quarter for which the Company does not report net income, the Company will not pay a dividend with respect to that quarter or for a subsequent profitable quarter until the Company is profitable on a cumulative basis computed from the date of the last quarter for which a dividend was paid. Therefore, the Company did not pay a dividend with respect to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, or any quarter of fiscal 2017, and will not pay a dividend for the first quarter of fiscal 2018. At September 2, 2017, cumulative losses that must be recovered prior to paying a dividend were
Selected operating statistics for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 compared with the prior-year period are shown here:
Source: Cal-Maine Foods
