WEO honours global egg industry excellence with 2025 awards

17 September 2025

The World Egg Organisation (WEO) recognised outstanding achievements in leadership, marketing, processing, and innovation across the global egg industry at the recent WEO Global Leadership Conference 2025 in Cartagena, Colombia.

“The prestigious WEO awards are a celebration of the commitment, creativity, and impact shown by exceptional individuals and organisations each year,” said Juan Felipe Montoya Muñoz, WEO Chairman, “The 2025 award winners exemplify excellence and continue to drive progress and innovation in the egg sector worldwide.”

Denis Wellstead Award for International Egg Person of the Year

Marcus Rust, Rose Acre Farms, USA

“The Denis Wellstead Award recognises extraordinary service to the industry, and, this year, I am delighted to present it to Marcus Rust,” said Juan Felipe Montoya.

“From a simple flock of 500, Rose Acre Farms has grown to become one of the largest privately held egg producers in the world, with approximately 25 million people a day consuming one of its eggs.

“Marcus has done just about every job you can do on an egg farm, from collecting eggs, taking care of chickens, and fixing machinery, to leading construction crews and building an egg farm from the ground up.

“Marcus is always coming up with innovative or out-of-the-box ideas, and he’s always looking ahead, thinking about the next 5, 10, and 20 years – and how the decisions we make today will affect the future of Rose Acres, and the egg industry around the world.

“It is with great pleasure that we recognise Marcus Rust as the 2025 International Egg Person of the Year.”

On receiving the award, Marcus Rust attributed his and Rose Acre’s success to those that have supported them over the years: “It’s our people, our team, our customers, and our chickens. Thank you!”

Golden Egg Award for Marketing Excellence

FENAVI, Colombia

The Golden Egg Award showcase took place on Tuesday 9 September at the WEO Cartagena Conference, featuring four presentations highlighting how companies and countries around the world are connecting with consumers to increase egg consumption.

Presenting the award, Sarah Dean (member of the judging panel) said: “Whilst it was a very close-run battle, there can only be one winner.

“The winning campaign had a very clear supporting message that ran across all platforms, engaged segmented consumers in targeted ways, and resulted in increasing consumption by 31 eggs per capita in just one year.

“I am, of course, talking about FENAVI. Congratulations!”

Gratefully accepting the award on the organisation’s behalf, FENAVI’s President, Gonzalo Moreno, welcomed all Colombian producers and FENAVI team members in the audience to join him on stage to share the celebration.

Clive Frampton Egg Products Company of the Year Award

Ovobrand S.A., Argentina

“The winner of this year’s Egg Products Company of the Year Award is a relatively ‘young company’ who started its journey ‘opening the gate’ of 320 hectares of land, 60 kilometres from the capital city centre, in 2008,” said Henrik Pedersen (member of the judging panel).

“Aiming to develop a facility with the best and latest technology, and leaning on a partnership spirit, the company worked hard to achieve the highest worldwide quality standards.

“The company has managed to create an excellent and well-proven portfolio of egg powders, liquids, and even – if required – fresh shell eggs. Nowadays, with the same entrepreneurship as in the beginning, they continue facing and solving new challenges, and pursuing new opportunities.

“Please allow me to introduce to you this year’s winner of the Clive Frampton Award – Ovobrand from Argentina!”

General manager, Octavio Gaspar, accepted the award on behalf of the company.

Vision 365 Egg Innovation Award

APF Holdings, Latvia

“The Vision 365 Egg Innovation Award celebrates organisations that are breaking new ground – bringing forward inventive products that highlight the incredible versatility and value of eggs,” said Juan Felipe Montoya.

“It is my pleasure to announce the winner for this year: APF Holdings from Latvia. Your Egg White Protein Smoothies represent a fantastic example of innovation, providing a rich source of protein in a different and creative way. Congratulations, APF Holdings!”

Founder & Chairman, Jurijs Adamovičs, accepted the award on behalf of the company.