European egg sector sees prices fall as imports rise

Egg trade is shifting significantly across the European Union. Imports from outside the EU are rising particularly sharply. At the same time, the average European egg price is below last year’s level. The Netherlands accounts for 9 percent of European production.

Egg prices lower than last year

In week 32, the European egg price stood at €233.41. This is the average price per 100 kilograms of eggs. Compared with the previous week, the price increased by 0.3 percent. Compared with one month earlier, the price fell by 3.1 percent. Year on year, the decline amounts to 8.3 percent.

Prices vary by production system across the European Union. Organic eggs have the highest price level. They are followed by free-range eggs, barn eggs and eggs from enriched cages.

The Netherlands produces 573,000 tons of eggs

The Netherlands produced approximately 573,000 tons of eggs in 2024. This represents 9 percent of total EU production. Total European production amounted to 6.664 million tons.

The Netherlands has capacity for nearly 30 million laying hens. Of this capacity, 63.1 percent is used for barn housing. Free-range accounts for 16.1 percent of capacity. Organic housing represents 6 percent. Enriched cages account for 14.8 percent.

Imports grow faster than exports

Exports to countries outside the EU increased by 11.3 percent. Between January and April, exports reached 152,611 tons. One year earlier, the volume stood at 137,062 tons.

Imports from outside the EU increased much more sharply. They rose from 50,545 to 93,873 tons. This represents an increase of 85.7 percent. Ukraine supplied 46,693 tons, up 23.2 percent. Imports from Türkiye increased from 991 to 24,086 tons.

Agriculture.ec.europa.eu