EU Egg Market Update
The European egg market continues to experience significant price appreciation and shifting trade dynamics as of early 2026. According to the latest market dashboard, EU egg prices have reached €292.42 per 100 kg in week 7, reflecting a substantial 18.5% increase compared to the previous year.
The current upward trend is steady, with prices rising 0.7% over the last week and 3.3% over the last month. When compared to other major global producers, the EU maintains significantly higher price points:
- EU: €292.42 per 100 kg
- USA: €154.90 per 100 kg
- Brazil: €117.42 per 100 kg
- India: €77.31 per 100 kg
While US prices saw extreme volatility throughout 2024 and 2025, they have recently stabilized at lower levels compared to the EU average.
The EU's production landscape for laying hens is undergoing a clear transition toward non-cage systems. In 2024, the total capacity of laying hens reached 392.3 million. The breakdown of farming methods shows that 61.8% of hens are now kept in "not in cage" systems:
- Barn: 38.9%
- Enriched Cage: 38.2%
- Free Range: 16.2%
- Organic: 6.7%
France and Germany remain the top producers, each accounting for 15% of the EU’s total egg production, followed closely by Spain at 14%.
Trade data for the period of January to October 2025 reveals a dramatic 53.0% increase in total EU egg imports compared to the same period in 2024. This surge is primarily driven by Ukraine, which remains the EU's largest external partner. Conversely, EU exports have remained relatively flat, seeing a minor 0.8% decrease in volume during the same period. The United Kingdom remains the primary destination for EU egg exports, accounting for over 122,000 tonnes.
