LA CALERA: Peru's leading egg producer embraces MOBA solutions for growth and innovation
La Calera’s Operations
Located in Chincha, Peru, La Calera is a cornerstone in the country’s egg industry, boasting an impressive 5.8 million layer hens and an additional 2 million young birds. The company processes 32 million eggs each week, supplying 22% of Peru’s egg market. It operates as part of the broader Masias family group, which spans over 2,500 acres dedicated to diverse agricultural ventures including avocados, grapes, and citrus fruits. La Calera is a vertically integrated business, which includes egg production, grading, and processing through affiliated companies Mamai and Ovosure.
Leveraging Moba Technology for Enhanced Efficiency and Quality
In recent years, La Calera has adopted several Moba systems, including the Omnia FT 500, which powers their newly installed inline facility, and two additional FT 500 machines with advanced FL loaders. The company's adoption of Moba technology has significantly reduced its reliance on manual labor, while delivering exceptional egg quality control. As De Zavala notes, Moba’s robust support and the precise egg grading capabilities of their systems were instrumental in the decision to invest further in Moba products. "The profit of the business is made with Moba," he explains. "They allow us to efficiently allocate the right egg to the right client, which is crucial for our business."
Challenges and Future Outlook
When asked about the challenges facing La Calera, De Zavala shared insights into both the internal and external factors impacting the company. Internally, La Calera is transitioning from traditional chicken rearing practices to a fully caged system, which will involve a significant investment in both time and resources over the next five to seven years. This shift will also require a more technically skilled workforce, especially in areas like electrical and mechanical engineering, which poses a challenge in the rural location of Chincha.
Externally, the egg industry in Peru and across Latin America is contending with avian influenza. While vaccinations are part of La Calera’s biosecurity protocols, De Zavala emphasizes the need for ongoing vigilance. Additionally, fluctuations in egg prices and market saturation are cyclical challenges that require strategic planning to navigate effectively.
Despite these hurdles, De Zavala is optimistic about the future. "Egg consumption is expected to rise globally as a high-protein, sustainable food source," he says. He also foresees further industry consolidation in Peru, predicting that the country will eventually be dominated by fewer but larger producers. Automation and artificial intelligence will increasingly define the sector, with technologies such as sensor-equipped cages reducing the need for manual oversight. However, he cautions that free-range farming is unlikely to gain traction in Peru due to limited land availability.
Strategic Priorities and Market Trends
La Calera’s strategic objectives align closely with Moba’s own commitment to operational excellence. Their primary goals are to maximize value per egg, reduce dependency on scarce labor, and ensure optimal food safety standards. Notably, De Zavala also highlighted the importance of timely, reliable contract fulfillment, a priority that Moba’s technology helps them meet with ease.
In terms of market trends, La Calera observes a gradual shift toward supermarket sales over traditional markets in Peru. Additionally, regional preferences, such as a preference for brown eggs, continue to shape product offerings.
As La Calera moves forward, automation will play a pivotal role in modernizing their facilities and enhancing operational efficiency. De Zavala sees Moba as a key partner in this journey, emphasizing that while La Calera is on the right track, the broader industry must also advance to keep pace with technological progress.
In summary, La Calera is not only a leader in the Peruvian egg industry but also a forward-thinking company committed to adopting advanced technologies to meet current and future challenges. Moba is proud to support their journey with innovative solutions that drive profitability, improve product quality, and enable greater operational resilience.
