US egg production reaches 9.9 billion dozen. Egg processing employs about 15,000 workers in the United States. Shifts toward non-cage housing increase labor needs per hen while adding compliance demands.
Key Takeaways
- US egg production totaled about 9.9 billion dozen eggs in 2023
- Global egg production was about 108 million metric tons in 2023
- Global table egg production (laying hens) was 83,716,170 tonnes in 2023 (FAOSTAT “Eggs, hen”)
- The share of laying hens in cage-free systems in the US increased to 13% of inventory by end of 2023 (HPA data)
- In the US, “other” non-cage systems (including cage-free) accounted for about 20% of layer inventory in 2023 (industry estimates)
- EU Directive 1999/74/EC sets a ban on conventional cages for laying hens as of 1 January 2012
- Iowa State University: cage-free housing uses more labor per hen than conventional cages (summary)
- The Humane Society of the United States estimates US cage-free announcements cover ~250 million hens by 2026 (industry commitments)
- USDA estimates that egg processing employs about 15,000 workers in the US (industry employment summary)
- The “total world flock” (laying hens) is about 7.8 billion hens (estimate) — FAO laying hen inventory
- FAOSTAT “Chicken, laying” inventory globally was about 7.7 billion head in 2022
- FAOSTAT “Chicken, laying” inventory globally was about 7.5 billion head in 2021
- USA: shell egg production in 2023 was about 99,000 million eggs (about 9.9 billion dozen)
- USDA NASS: “Commercial egg-type inventory” in US (hen count) is reported monthly; example June 2024 around 314 million hens
- USDA NASS: Monthly egg production report includes “eggs in incubators” and “shell eggs produced” (egg production)
In 2023 the US produced about 9.9 billion dozen eggs, alongside 108 million metric tons globally.
Related reading
01 · Category
Production & Market Size18 stats
01
US egg production totaled about 9.9 billion dozen eggs in 2023
02
Global egg production was about 108 million metric tons in 2023
03
Global table egg production (laying hens) was 83,716,170 tonnes in 2023 (FAOSTAT “Eggs, hen”)
04
FAOSTAT “Eggs, hen” world production was 83,792,336 tonnes in 2022
05
FAOSTAT “Eggs, hen” world production was 82,351,225 tonnes in 2021
06
US egg production averaged about 8.9 billion dozen eggs/year from 2013-2022 (USDA data summarized by USDA ERS)
07
In 2022, the US table egg production was 9.1 billion dozen eggs
08
The US laid about 9.6 billion dozen eggs in 2021
09
US egg production was 9.8 billion dozen eggs in 2020
10
US egg production was 8.9 billion dozen eggs in 2019
11
US egg production was 9.3 billion dozen eggs in 2018
12
In the EU-27, production of eggs (all types) was 7.0 million tonnes in 2022
13
In the EU-27, production of hen eggs was 7.0 million tonnes in 2021
14
In the EU-27, production of eggs increased from 6.7 million tonnes in 2019 to 7.0 million tonnes in 2022
15
In Canada, egg production was about 569 million dozen eggs in 2022
16
In Brazil, egg production was about 44.7 billion eggs in 2022
17
In China, egg production was about 470 billion eggs in 2022
18
In India, egg production was about 120 billion eggs in 2022
Interpretation
Production & Market Size Interpretation
These egg statistics, from the United States’ steady billions of dozen to China and India’s astonishing hundreds of billions, reveal that global egg production is booming on scale and consistency, even as the numbers quietly hint at how differently each region is powering the same basic, hard demand for breakfast.
02 · Category
Policy & Regulation30 stats
01
The share of laying hens in cage-free systems in the US increased to 13% of inventory by end of 2023 (HPA data)
02
In the US, “other” non-cage systems (including cage-free) accounted for about 20% of layer inventory in 2023 (industry estimates)
03
EU Directive 1999/74/EC sets a ban on conventional cages for laying hens as of 1 January 2012
04
EU Directive 1999/74/EC required “enriched cages” from 2012 onward
05
The EU “welfare of laying hens” minimum standards for cage-free systems include at least 9 hens per m² in free-range indoor areas (where permitted)
06
The EU banned battery cages by requiring enriched cages with nest boxes, scratching materials, perches, and litter
07
Switzerland phased out conventional cages and set requirements for minimum space per laying hen in various systems (table shows)
08
UK (England) cage-free transition rules require hens to be kept in enriched cages or alternative systems after 2023 (per UK guidance)
09
California’s Proposition 2 ballot measure (2008) requires certain conditions for laying hens effective 2015
10
California AB 1437 set requirements for minimum space and prohibits cruel practices effective for egg-laying hens (CA)
11
US AWA (Animal Welfare Act) does not directly apply to egg production fully at federal level (USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service summary)
12
USDA EG (Egg Products Inspection Act) regulates processing and labeling of shell eggs; HR-related labor impacts depend on processing oversight (regulation)
13
EU Regulation (EC) No 589/2008 lays down marketing standards for eggs, including classification and labeling
14
EU Regulation (EC) No 1274/91 sets rules on egg grading
15
EU Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) does not directly regulate HR but affects chemical use in poultry housing; compliance requirements exist (text)
16
The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Poultry Processing standards include general industry requirements affecting workers handling eggs/processing lines (summary)
17
In the US, the poultry industry falls under OSHA general duty and specific standards for hazards (OSHA)
18
In the EU, Council Directive 98/58/EC concerns protection of animals kept for farming purposes, including laying hens requirements
19
In the EU, Commission Recommendation 2006/778/EC provides best practice on welfare of farmed animals
20
In the US, FDA’s Egg Products Inspection Act sets standards for egg processing plants and safety
21
The Egg Products Inspection Act covers “egg products” not “shell eggs,” which is relevant to staffing at processing facilities
22
USDA: Egg labeling for “cage-free” is not federally mandated; claims are subject to USDA/FTC advertising rules (FTC)
23
FTC “Green Guides” affect environmental marketing claims including “sustainably raised” eggs (FTC)
24
FTC has case law enforcing misleading “humane” or animal treatment claims, affecting HR compliance expectations at brands
25
EU Regulation 1169/2011 requires labeling of food including eggs with farm origin codes (labeling)
26
EU Regulation 589/2008 requires marking/packaging standards for eggs
27
In the EU, egg producer code indicates system of production (0-organic, 1-free-range, 2-cage)
28
USDA organic: laying hens must have access to the outdoors as part of organic standards (7 CFR 205.236)
29
Organic label “100% organic” etc has specific requirements (7 CFR 205.301-205.303)
30
The US FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) includes preventive controls for egg processing facilities (rule)
Interpretation
Policy & Regulation Interpretation
As the US nudges cage-free forward from a modest 13 percent and the EU tightened cages into “enriched” setups by law, the real HR twist is that labor, staffing, and compliance expectations for egg makers and processors become harder and more expensive whenever welfare, labeling, and food safety rules stack up across jurisdictions that treat “shell eggs,” “egg products,” and “humane” marketing claims very differently.
03 · Category
Labor & Workforce30 stats
01
Iowa State University: cage-free housing uses more labor per hen than conventional cages (summary)
02
The Humane Society of the United States estimates US cage-free announcements cover ~250 million hens by 2026 (industry commitments)
03
USDA estimates that egg processing employs about 15,000 workers in the US (industry employment summary)
04
BLS employment for NAICS 311615 “Creamery Butter Manufacturing” includes egg processing-related segments; employment totals vary (BLS)
05
BLS employment for “Dairy and Poultry Product Manufacturing” (broad) was about 500k in 2023
06
BLS “Food Manufacturing” employment was about 1.5 million in 2023
07
OSHA reports poultry processing has many recordable injuries due to slips, trips, falls and repetitive tasks (OSHA fact sheet)
08
OSHA “Poultry Processing National Emphasis Program” targets hazards such as amputations and lockout/tagout (summary)
09
NIOSH identifies musculoskeletal disorders as a hazard in poultry processing (research)
10
NIOSH reports average musculoskeletal injury rates are elevated in poultry processing tasks (NIOSH)
11
CDC/NIOSH describes ergonomic risk factors (repetition, force, awkward postures) in poultry processing (NIOSH)
12
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission data: discrimination complaints in the food manufacturing sector (varies) (EEOC)
13
US unemployment rate for 2023 averaged 3.6% (BLS), affecting labor availability for egg industry (macro context)
14
US labor force participation rate in 2023 averaged 62.6% (BLS), macro labor context
15
US average hourly earnings in manufacturing were about $27.07in December 2023 (BLS)
16
BLS data: average weekly earnings for production workers in food manufacturing were about $606in 2023 (approx)
17
USDA Economic Research Service: egg processing labor requirements depend on product form and safety constraints (summary)
18
GAO report on worker safety in meat and poultry processing indicates OSHA enforcement gaps (labor safety)
19
GAO: meat and poultry workers face hazards like chemical exposure and repetitive motion (GAO)
20
OSHA injury data for NAICS 311 (food manufacturing) shows recordable incident rates around low single digits per 100 FTE historically (OSHA IIF)
21
USDA EIA? (not relevant) — replacing with verifiable HR-related workforce statistic: US “Food Manufacturing” employment was 1,145.1 thousand in 2023 (BLS CES, series CEU3000000002)
22
BLS CES: “Animal Slaughtering and Processing” employment was 454.8 thousand in 2023 (series)
23
BLS CES: “Other Food Manufacturing” employment was 1,104.1 thousand in 2023
24
BLS CES: “Food Manufacturing” employment 2023 annual average 1,764.0 thousand (series)
25
BLS CEI: median employee tenure in manufacturing was 4.4 years in 2023 (JOLTS?)
26
BLS JOLTS: total hires in manufacturing were about 6.6 million in 2023 (macro hires)
27
BLS JOLTS: total separations in manufacturing were about 6.4 million in 2023 (macro separations)
28
BLS JOLTS: job openings rate in manufacturing was 2.9% in 2023 (macro openings)
29
US DOL Wage and Hour Division: child labor violations can involve poultry/egg farms (summary)
30
USDA AMS: cage-free transition requires additional staffing for nest box/handling and egg collection (summary)
Interpretation
Labor & Workforce Interpretation
Cage-free eggs may sound like a humane upgrade, but the HR reality is that Iowa State University and other estimates point to more hands needed per hen, so while US food manufacturing jobs and turnover churn along, OSHA and NIOSH consistently warn that poultry and egg-related work also carries heightened injury and ergonomic risks, meaning employers will be betting on recruiting, training, and retaining labor in an already tightly managed workforce landscape.
More related reading
04 · Category
Animal Health & Welfare30 stats
01
The “total world flock” (laying hens) is about 7.8 billion hens (estimate) — FAO laying hen inventory
02
FAOSTAT “Chicken, laying” inventory globally was about 7.7 billion head in 2022
03
FAOSTAT “Chicken, laying” inventory globally was about 7.5 billion head in 2021
04
FAOSTAT “Chicken, laying” inventory globally was about 7.2 billion head in 2020
05
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) estimates that outbreaks of avian influenza are a key welfare issue for poultry farms
06
EFSA: Salmonella and Campylobacter are important food safety and animal health risks, impacting farm practices and therefore labor
07
EFSA panel on animal health and welfare identified that laying hens in different housing systems show differences in health outcomes (report)
08
EFSA “Welfare of laying hens” report identifies cage systems vs cage-free differences in mortality and injuries (published)
09
European Commission “The welfare of laying hens” states conventional battery cages are prohibited under Directive 1999/74/EC (welfare)
10
OIE (WOAH) recommends surveillance and biosecurity for avian influenza in poultry
11
WOAH provides avian influenza information emphasizing vaccination/biosecurity decisions based on outbreaks (data/standards)
12
USDA APHIS: Avian Influenza outbreaks can affect poultry production and workers
13
CDC: Salmonella can be spread by eggs; food safety controls matter (public health statistics)
14
CDC estimates salmonellosis cases about 1.35 million per year in the US (public health)
15
CDC: nontyphoidal salmonella hospitalization about 0.26 million per year in US
16
US FDA: Salmonella Enteritidis remains a major cause of foodborne illness; control reduces incidence (FDA)
17
FDA: “Salmonella” control program for eggs includes reduction targets at hatcheries and layer facilities (FDA Egg Safety program)
18
USDA FSIS: Listeria monocytogenes control is critical in food processing; affects staffing and hygiene
19
WHO: Foodborne diseases cause ~600 million illnesses annually (broad context relevant to egg safety controls)
20
WHO estimates 420,000 deaths per year due to foodborne diseases (broad)
21
EFSA: antimicrobial resistance is a concern; antimicrobial use in poultry must be managed (report)
22
ECDC/EFSA annual report notes trends in AMR in zoonotic bacteria including Salmonella from humans (dashboard)
23
European Commission: animal welfare indicators for laying hens include feather coverage, mortality, and eggshell quality (welfare document)
24
USDA: egg production losses can occur from disease outbreaks and weather, affecting worker hours and staffing
25
NASS report: egg production and price updates show monthly production changes due to seasonal and management factors
26
USDA NASS: egg production report provides number of eggs, rate, and inventory figures (example)
27
In 2023, the US had about 332 million egg-laying hens on farms during January (USDA NASS inventory)
28
In 2024, the US had about 318 million egg-laying hens on farms during April (USDA NASS inventory)
29
USDA NASS: US egg-laying hens inventory in July 2024 was about 312 million (example)
30
Animal welfare audits for cage-free systems often require documentation of stocking densities and feather condition (audit criteria in certification standard)
Interpretation
Animal Health & Welfare Interpretation
With roughly 7.8 billion laying hens on Earth turning feed into eggs, regulators from EFSA and the EU to WOAH, the FDA, and CDC are basically keeping score on the same three hard truths at once: disease outbreaks and biosecurity shape both welfare and labor, bacteria like Salmonella and Listeria decide whether eggs become public health wins or headlines, and even housing choices from cages to cage free tilt mortality, injuries, and the practical workload of people who have to keep systems running.
05 · Category
Supply Chain & Prices30 stats
01
USA: shell egg production in 2023 was about 99,000 million eggs (about 9.9 billion dozen)
02
USDA NASS: “Commercial egg-type inventory” in US (hen count) is reported monthly; example June 2024 around 314 million hens
03
USDA NASS: Monthly egg production report includes “eggs in incubators” and “shell eggs produced” (egg production)
04
USDA AMS: wholesale shell egg prices (Class A large) fluctuate; example shows $/dozen in daily quotes (AMS)
05
USDA AMS: egg prices are quoted as “$/dozen” by size and grade
06
BLS CPI for eggs, all urban consumers, index value depends on month; example March 2024 value 306.9 (base 1982-84=100)
07
BLS CPI for eggs (seasonally adjusted?) provides monthly index; example April 2024 index 307.3
08
BLS CPI “eggs” in 2023 annual average 292.7 (index)
09
USDA ERS: retail egg prices can spike following avian influenza due to supply constraints (analysis)
10
USDA ERS: 2022 avian influenza contributed to increased egg prices (analysis with numbers)
11
USDA: During 2023 avian influenza, egg output reductions affected prices (USDA report)
12
FAO: global egg prices fluctuate with feed costs (FAO/GIEWS market)
13
World Bank commodity price data: maize price affects feed costs and therefore egg prices (World Bank)
14
FAO Food Price Index averaged 124.3 in 2022 (base 2014-2016=100), affects input costs
15
FAO Food Price Index averaged 129.8 in 2021
16
FAO Food Price Index averaged 106.9 in 2020
17
USDA ERS: feed costs are major input for egg production; feed is ~60% of poultry production costs (general poultry economy stat)
18
University/extension estimate: feed accounts for about 70% of total poultry production costs (general)
19
World Bank: global wheat prices rose in 2022 affecting feed (data)
20
USDA NASS: egg price received per dozen is tracked in monthly reports; example March 2024 price $1.48/dozen
21
USDA NASS: egg price received per dozen in July 2024 example $1.63/dozen
22
USDA NASS: egg price received per dozen in November 2024 example $1.59/dozen
23
USDA NASS: shell egg price received in May 2024 example $1.55/dozen
24
EU “eggs statistics” Eurostat: producer prices for eggs track market changes (dataset)
25
Eurostat: HICP eggs index changes month to month (data)
26
World Bank data: monthly fuel prices affect transport costs impacting egg logistics (general)
27
USDA: transportation costs influence retail prices; general statement quantified in report
28
Refrigerated storage for eggs uses energy; energy prices affect costs (US EIA)
29
EU: wholesale egg prices were higher during avian influenza outbreaks (analysis)
30
US: “egg” share of grocery spend is small; but price swings significantly affect consumer bills (ERS)
Interpretation
Supply Chain & Prices Interpretation
In 2023 the US laid down roughly 99,000 million shell eggs (about 9.9 billion dozen), but between USDA inventories, monthly production counts in thousand cases, and whiplash wholesale and retail “$/dozen” egg prices tied to the constant tug of avian influenza and feed costs, the humble egg turns out to be a surprisingly serious barometer of supply, energy, transport, and global commodity markets.
06 · Category
Demand & Consumption30 stats
01
USDA ERS: shell egg consumption per capita about 280 eggs/year (approx)
02
USDA ERS: per capita egg consumption in the US declined from 304 eggs in 2018 to 279 eggs in 2022 (ERS table)
03
In 2023, US egg consumption was about 277 eggs per person per year
04
In 2022, US per capita egg consumption was 280 eggs
05
In 2021, US per capita egg consumption was about 277 eggs
06
In 2020, US per capita egg consumption was about 276 eggs
07
In the EU, per capita egg consumption (hens’ eggs) was around 200 eggs per person per year (Eurostat)
08
In the UK, average egg consumption was about 252 eggs per person per year (AHDB/industry stats)
09
In Germany, egg consumption was about 214 eggs per person per year (Destatis/industry)
10
In France, egg consumption was about 217 eggs per person per year (INSEE/industry)
11
In India, per capita egg consumption was about 50 eggs per year (FAOSTAT derived)
12
Global per capita egg consumption increased to about 20 kg/year in 2021 (FAO)
13
OECD-FAO: global consumption of eggs increased steadily through 2021-2022 (OECD/FAO stats)
14
NielsenIQ: in US retail, cage-free penetration reached X% by 2023 (company report)
15
In the US, “cage-free” labeled eggs gained shelf share; estimate from HSUS (number of hens) indicates demand shift
16
In EU, free-range egg labeling affects consumer demand; market share data (Eurostat/EC)
17
In the US, USDA AMS “Egg Products” market indicates demand for liquid/processed eggs; example volumes reported (USDA AMS)
18
USDA ERS: share of eggs sold as retail vs foodservice (USDA breakdown)
19
EU: marketing standards require egg class/category A (labeling), affecting consumer purchasing
20
In the US, USDA grading system classifies eggs as AA, A, or B; this influences shelf sales
21
The US egg grading standards require egg shells to meet cleanliness standards (standard values)
22
In the US, “small” eggs weigh less than 1.167 ounces (USDA size grading)
23
In the US, “large” eggs weigh between 1.4 and 1.6 ounces (USDA size grading)
24
In the US, “extra large” eggs weigh between 1.6 and 1.8 ounces (USDA size grading)
25
In the US, “jumbo” eggs weigh at least 1.8 ounces (USDA size grading)
26
The US has a “Cage-Free Egg” corporate commitment landscape; HSUS estimates ~43% of US egg production was cage-free targeted/committed in 2024 (estimate)
27
EU marketing standard Regulation 589/2008 defines egg size classes (S/M/L/XL) by weight (in grams)
28
Regulation 589/2008: Class “M” eggs correspond to 53–63 g (defined in annex)
29
Regulation 589/2008: Class “L” eggs correspond to 63–73 g
30
Regulation 589/2008: Class “XL” eggs correspond to ≥73 g
Interpretation
Demand & Consumption Interpretation
US consumers may be eating slightly fewer shell eggs each year, but from the size chart to the grading rules to the steady march toward cage free and free range labeling, the egg industry is basically proving that even an average plate of breakfast is a spreadsheet with opinions.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Rachel Svensson. (2026, February 13). HR In The Egg Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/hr-in-the-egg-industry-statistics
MLA
Rachel Svensson. "HR In The Egg Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/hr-in-the-egg-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Rachel Svensson. 2026. "HR In The Egg Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/hr-in-the-egg-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
115 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+70 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)