International and European overview of egg production and consumption

Abstract

Egg production in the EU-27 reached 6.4 MT in 2008, which is a little more than 10% of world production. Even though world egg production and consumption has been growing for the ten last years, egg production in the EU has been stable in volume and production systems have known a very strong evolution in relation with consumer expectations in terms of animal welfare and variety of products, but also due to the implementation of the EU welfare regulation. The situation remains contrasted within the EU. European egg consumption is 240 eggs per person per year, with strong variations according to country, and a rise in the share of egg products in global consumption. Different steering factors will determine the future of the European egg industry, among which European regulation (animal welfare, environment, sanitary requirements), feedstuff price volatility, changes in consumers’ preferences and lastly the conclusions of WTO negotiations, which could lead to an opening of the European market to products (egg powder for example) from emerging countries.