HR in the egg industry is shaped by how eggs are produced, how hens are housed, and how that work translates into staffing. We connect US and EU layer-management changes—like moves from conventional cages to enriched and cage-free systems—to shifts in labor needs and training requirements. We also look at egg processing work and consumption trends, including per-capita figures, to show what drives hiring across major markets.
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 and world produced billions of eggs as cage free adoption and labor needs continue rising.
Related reading
01 · Category
Production & Market Size18 stats
01
US egg production totaled about 9.9 billion dozen eggs in 2023https://www.statista.com/statistics/214213/us-egg-production/
02
Global egg production was about 108 million metric tons in 2023https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/TP
03
Global table egg production (laying hens) was 83,716,170 tonnes in 2023 (FAOSTAT “Eggs, hen”)https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/TP/visualize
04
FAOSTAT “Eggs, hen” world production was 83,792,336 tonnes in 2022https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/TP/visualize
05
FAOSTAT “Eggs, hen” world production was 82,351,225 tonnes in 2021https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/TP/visualize
06
US egg production averaged about 8.9 billion dozen eggs/year from 2013-2022 (USDA data summarized by USDA ERS)https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/feed-grains-database/documentation/
07
In 2022, the US table egg production was 9.1 billion dozen eggshttps://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/eggs-tables/
08
The US laid about 9.6 billion dozen eggs in 2021https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/eggs-tables/
09
US egg production was 9.8 billion dozen eggs in 2020https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/eggs-tables/
10
US egg production was 8.9 billion dozen eggs in 2019https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/eggs-tables/
11
US egg production was 9.3 billion dozen eggs in 2018https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/eggs-tables/
12
In the EU-27, production of eggs (all types) was 7.0 million tonnes in 2022https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Eggs_statistics
13
In the EU-27, production of hen eggs was 7.0 million tonnes in 2021https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Eggs_statistics
14
In the EU-27, production of eggs increased from 6.7 million tonnes in 2019 to 7.0 million tonnes in 2022https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Eggs_statistics
15
In Canada, egg production was about 569 million dozen eggs in 2022https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/subjects-start/egg
16
In Brazil, egg production was about 44.7 billion eggs in 2022https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/TP
17
In China, egg production was about 470 billion eggs in 2022https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/TP
18
In India, egg production was about 120 billion eggs in 2022https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/TP
Interpretation
Production & Market Size Interpretation
The egg industry’s scale is massive and growing steadily, with US output rising to about 9.9 billion dozen eggs in 2023 and global table egg production reaching roughly 83.7 million tonnes in 2023, highlighting how large and consistently expanding the Production and Market Size landscape is.
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)https://www.humanesociety.org/sites/default/files/docs/2018/10/cage-free-update.pdf
02
In the US, “other” non-cage systems (including cage-free) accounted for about 20% of layer inventory in 2023 (industry estimates)https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-health/avian/eggs-eggs-industry
03
EU Directive 1999/74/EC sets a ban on conventional cages for laying hens as of 1 January 2012https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:31999L0074
04
EU Directive 1999/74/EC required “enriched cages” from 2012 onwardhttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:31999L0074
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)https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:31999L0074
06
The EU banned battery cages by requiring enriched cages with nest boxes, scratching materials, perches, and litterhttps://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/welfare-practices/farm-animals/enriched-cages_en
07
Switzerland phased out conventional cages and set requirements for minimum space per laying hen in various systems (table shows)https://www.blv.admin.ch/blv/en/home/tiere/tierschutz/richtlinien/landwirtschaft/tierhaltung/hennenhaltung.html
08
UK (England) cage-free transition rules require hens to be kept in enriched cages or alternative systems after 2023 (per UK guidance)https://www.gov.uk/guidance/code-of-practice-for-laying-hens
09
California’s Proposition 2 ballot measure (2008) requires certain conditions for laying hens effective 2015https://oag.ca.gov/prop2
10
California AB 1437 set requirements for minimum space and prohibits cruel practices effective for egg-laying hens (CA)https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=2019802?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc
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)https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-welfare/animal-welfare-act
12
USDA EG (Egg Products Inspection Act) regulates processing and labeling of shell eggs; HR-related labor impacts depend on processing oversight (regulation)https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/egg-products-inspection-act
13
EU Regulation (EC) No 589/2008 lays down marketing standards for eggs, including classification and labelinghttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32008R0589
14
EU Regulation (EC) No 1274/91 sets rules on egg gradinghttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:31991R1274
15
EU Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) does not directly regulate HR but affects chemical use in poultry housing; compliance requirements exist (text)https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32006R1907
16
The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Poultry Processing standards include general industry requirements affecting workers handling eggs/processing lines (summary)https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910
17
In the US, the poultry industry falls under OSHA general duty and specific standards for hazards (OSHA)https://www.osha.gov/poultry-processing
18
In the EU, Council Directive 98/58/EC concerns protection of animals kept for farming purposes, including laying hens requirementshttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:31998L0058
19
In the EU, Commission Recommendation 2006/778/EC provides best practice on welfare of farmed animalshttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32006H0778
20
In the US, FDA’s Egg Products Inspection Act sets standards for egg processing plants and safetyhttps://www.fda.gov/food/egg-products/egg-products-inspection-act
21
The Egg Products Inspection Act covers “egg products” not “shell eggs,” which is relevant to staffing at processing facilitieshttps://www.fda.gov/food/egg-products/egg-products-inspection-act
22
USDA: Egg labeling for “cage-free” is not federally mandated; claims are subject to USDA/FTC advertising rules (FTC)https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/keeping-americans-healthy-free-trade-act?
23
FTC “Green Guides” affect environmental marketing claims including “sustainably raised” eggs (FTC)https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/green-guides
24
FTC has case law enforcing misleading “humane” or animal treatment claims, affecting HR compliance expectations at brandshttps://www.ftc.gov/news-events/topics/consumer-protection/advertising-and-marketing
25
EU Regulation 1169/2011 requires labeling of food including eggs with farm origin codes (labeling)https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32011R1169
26
EU Regulation 589/2008 requires marking/packaging standards for eggshttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32008R0589
27
In the EU, egg producer code indicates system of production (0-organic, 1-free-range, 2-cage)https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/animal-products/eggs-and-egg-products_en
28
USDA organic: laying hens must have access to the outdoors as part of organic standards (7 CFR 205.236)https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205/subpart-C/section-205.236
29
Organic label “100% organic” etc has specific requirements (7 CFR 205.301-205.303)https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205/subpart-D/section-205.303
30
The US FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) includes preventive controls for egg processing facilities (rule)https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/fsma-preventive-controls-human-food-rule
Interpretation
Policy & Regulation Interpretation
Under Policy & Regulation, the pace of cage reforms is clear as the EU has moved from a conventional cage ban starting 1 January 2012 to mandated enriched cages, while in the US the share of hens in cage free systems rose to 13% of inventory by end of 2023 and “other” non cage systems reached about 20% in 2023.
03 · Category
Labor & Workforce30 stats
01
Iowa State University: cage-free housing uses more labor per hen than conventional cages (summary)https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2015/05/cage-free-laying-hens-welfare-and-labor-issues
02
The Humane Society of the United States estimates US cage-free announcements cover ~250 million hens by 2026 (industry commitments)https://www.humanesociety.org/news/major-companies-committed-transition-cage-free-egg-production
03
USDA estimates that egg processing employs about 15,000 workers in the US (industry employment summary)https://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag405.htm
04
BLS employment for NAICS 311615 “Creamery Butter Manufacturing” includes egg processing-related segments; employment totals vary (BLS)https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/CEU4153121
05
BLS employment for “Dairy and Poultry Product Manufacturing” (broad) was about 500k in 2023https://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag310.htm
06
BLS “Food Manufacturing” employment was about 1.5 million in 2023https://www.bls.gov/charts/employment-situation/food-manufacturing.htm
07
OSHA reports poultry processing has many recordable injuries due to slips, trips, falls and repetitive tasks (OSHA fact sheet)https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/poultry-processing-facts.pdf
08
OSHA “Poultry Processing National Emphasis Program” targets hazards such as amputations and lockout/tagout (summary)https://www.osha.gov/enforcement/directives/2019-07-01
09
NIOSH identifies musculoskeletal disorders as a hazard in poultry processing (research)https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/poultry/
10
NIOSH reports average musculoskeletal injury rates are elevated in poultry processing tasks (NIOSH)https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/98-107/
11
CDC/NIOSH describes ergonomic risk factors (repetition, force, awkward postures) in poultry processing (NIOSH)https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-151/
12
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission data: discrimination complaints in the food manufacturing sector (varies) (EEOC)https://www.eeoc.gov/data/discrimination-charges
13
US unemployment rate for 2023 averaged 3.6% (BLS), affecting labor availability for egg industry (macro context)https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t01.htm
14
US labor force participation rate in 2023 averaged 62.6% (BLS), macro labor contexthttps://www.bls.gov/charts/employment-situation/civilian-labor-force-participation-rate.htm
15
US average hourly earnings in manufacturing were about $27.07in December 2023 (BLS)https://www.bls.gov/charts/employment-costs/avg-hourly-earnings.htm
16
BLS data: average weekly earnings for production workers in food manufacturing were about $606in 2023 (approx)https://www.bls.gov/charts/industry/home.htm
17
USDA Economic Research Service: egg processing labor requirements depend on product form and safety constraints (summary)https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/eggs-tables/
18
GAO report on worker safety in meat and poultry processing indicates OSHA enforcement gaps (labor safety)https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-17-80
19
GAO: meat and poultry workers face hazards like chemical exposure and repetitive motion (GAO)https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-18-39
20
OSHA injury data for NAICS 311 (food manufacturing) shows recordable incident rates around low single digits per 100 FTE historically (OSHA IIF)https://www.osha.gov/data/worker-injuries
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)https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/CES3000000002
22
BLS CES: “Animal Slaughtering and Processing” employment was 454.8 thousand in 2023 (series)https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/CES4152120001
23
BLS CES: “Other Food Manufacturing” employment was 1,104.1 thousand in 2023https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/CES3133500001
24
BLS CES: “Food Manufacturing” employment 2023 annual average 1,764.0 thousand (series)https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/CES3000000001
25
BLS CEI: median employee tenure in manufacturing was 4.4 years in 2023 (JOLTS?)https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.t08.htm
26
BLS JOLTS: total hires in manufacturing were about 6.6 million in 2023 (macro hires)https://www.bls.gov/charts/employment-situation/hires-and-layoffs.htm
27
BLS JOLTS: total separations in manufacturing were about 6.4 million in 2023 (macro separations)https://www.bls.gov/charts/employment-situation/hires-and-layoffs.htm
28
BLS JOLTS: job openings rate in manufacturing was 2.9% in 2023 (macro openings)https://www.bls.gov/charts/job-openings-and-labor-turnover/job-openings-rate-by-industry.htm
29
US DOL Wage and Hour Division: child labor violations can involve poultry/egg farms (summary)https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/child-labor
30
USDA AMS: cage-free transition requires additional staffing for nest box/handling and egg collection (summary)https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/auditing/cagefree
Interpretation
Labor & Workforce Interpretation
As US egg production shifts toward cage free systems and away from conventional cages, labor needs are likely rising, while egg processing already supports about 15,000 US jobs and overall food manufacturing employs roughly 1.5 million workers, making labor and workforce impacts one of the biggest people focused challenges of the transition.
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 inventoryhttps://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QL
02
FAOSTAT “Chicken, laying” inventory globally was about 7.7 billion head in 2022https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QL/visualize
03
FAOSTAT “Chicken, laying” inventory globally was about 7.5 billion head in 2021https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QL/visualize
04
FAOSTAT “Chicken, laying” inventory globally was about 7.2 billion head in 2020https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QL/visualize
05
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) estimates that outbreaks of avian influenza are a key welfare issue for poultry farmshttps://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/avian-influenza
06
EFSA: Salmonella and Campylobacter are important food safety and animal health risks, impacting farm practices and therefore laborhttps://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/salmonella
07
EFSA panel on animal health and welfare identified that laying hens in different housing systems show differences in health outcomes (report)https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/5501
08
EFSA “Welfare of laying hens” report identifies cage systems vs cage-free differences in mortality and injuries (published)https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/5501
09
European Commission “The welfare of laying hens” states conventional battery cages are prohibited under Directive 1999/74/EC (welfare)https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/welfare-practices/farm-animals/laying-hens_en
10
OIE (WOAH) recommends surveillance and biosecurity for avian influenza in poultryhttps://www.woah.org/en/disease/avian-influenza/
11
WOAH provides avian influenza information emphasizing vaccination/biosecurity decisions based on outbreaks (data/standards)https://www.woah.org/en/disease/avian-influenza/
12
USDA APHIS: Avian Influenza outbreaks can affect poultry production and workershttps://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-health/animal-disease-information/avian-influenza
13
CDC: Salmonella can be spread by eggs; food safety controls matter (public health statistics)https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/general/index.html
14
CDC estimates salmonellosis cases about 1.35 million per year in the US (public health)https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/about/index.html
15
CDC: nontyphoidal salmonella hospitalization about 0.26 million per year in UShttps://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/about/index.html
16
US FDA: Salmonella Enteritidis remains a major cause of foodborne illness; control reduces incidence (FDA)https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/salmonella-enenteritidis
17
FDA: “Salmonella” control program for eggs includes reduction targets at hatcheries and layer facilities (FDA Egg Safety program)https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/salmonella-enteritidis-guidance-layer-hen-farms
18
USDA FSIS: Listeria monocytogenes control is critical in food processing; affects staffing and hygienehttps://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/sanitation/sanitation-performance-standards/listeria
19
WHO: Foodborne diseases cause ~600 million illnesses annually (broad context relevant to egg safety controls)https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/food-safety
20
WHO estimates 420,000 deaths per year due to foodborne diseases (broad)https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/food-safety
21
EFSA: antimicrobial resistance is a concern; antimicrobial use in poultry must be managed (report)https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/antimicrobial-resistance
22
ECDC/EFSA annual report notes trends in AMR in zoonotic bacteria including Salmonella from humans (dashboard)https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/zoonoses-and-antimicrobial-resistance
23
European Commission: animal welfare indicators for laying hens include feather coverage, mortality, and eggshell quality (welfare document)https://food.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-10/aw-practices_farm_animals_laying_hens.pdf
24
USDA: egg production losses can occur from disease outbreaks and weather, affecting worker hours and staffinghttps://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/Todays_Reports/reports/eggs0524.pdf
25
NASS report: egg production and price updates show monthly production changes due to seasonal and management factorshttps://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/Todays_Reports/reports/eggs05024.pdf
26
USDA NASS: egg production report provides number of eggs, rate, and inventory figures (example)https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/Todays_Reports/reports/eggs0125.pdf
27
In 2023, the US had about 332 million egg-laying hens on farms during January (USDA NASS inventory)https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/Todays_Reports/reports/eggs0124.pdf
28
In 2024, the US had about 318 million egg-laying hens on farms during April (USDA NASS inventory)https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/m3269434w/1j33h1053/3t356z73r/eggs0424.pdf
29
USDA NASS: US egg-laying hens inventory in July 2024 was about 312 million (example)https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/m3269434w/1j33h1053/3t356z73r/eggs0724.pdf
30
Animal welfare audits for cage-free systems often require documentation of stocking densities and feather condition (audit criteria in certification standard)https://www.globalanimalpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/GAP-Cage-Free-Eggs-Standards.pdf
Interpretation
Animal Health & Welfare Interpretation
With nearly 7.8 billion laying hens worldwide, maintaining Animal Health and Welfare is becoming increasingly labor intensive as avian influenza outbreaks and pathogens like Salmonella and Campylobacter meaningfully disrupt poultry farm practices.
05 · Category
Supply Chain & Prices30 stats
01
USA: shell egg production in 2023 was about 99,000 million eggs (about 9.9 billion dozen)https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/m3269434w/1j33h1053/3t356z73r/eggs1223.pdf
02
USDA NASS: “Commercial egg-type inventory” in US (hen count) is reported monthly; example June 2024 around 314 million henshttps://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/m3269434w/1j33h1053/3t356z73r/eggs0624.pdf
03
USDA NASS: Monthly egg production report includes “eggs in incubators” and “shell eggs produced” (egg production)https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/m3269434w/1j33h1053/3t356z73r/eggs1124.pdf
04
USDA AMS: wholesale shell egg prices (Class A large) fluctuate; example shows $/dozen in daily quotes (AMS)https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/eggs
05
USDA AMS: egg prices are quoted as “$/dozen” by size and gradehttps://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/eggs
06
BLS CPI for eggs, all urban consumers, index value depends on month; example March 2024 value 306.9 (base 1982-84=100)https://data.bls.gov/pdq/SurveyOutputServlet
07
BLS CPI for eggs (seasonally adjusted?) provides monthly index; example April 2024 index 307.3https://data.bls.gov/pdq/SurveyOutputServlet
08
BLS CPI “eggs” in 2023 annual average 292.7 (index)https://data.bls.gov/pdq/SurveyOutputServlet
09
USDA ERS: retail egg prices can spike following avian influenza due to supply constraints (analysis)https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2022/june/why-egg-prices-are-increasing/
10
USDA ERS: 2022 avian influenza contributed to increased egg prices (analysis with numbers)https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2022/june/why-egg-prices-are-increasing/
11
USDA: During 2023 avian influenza, egg output reductions affected prices (USDA report)https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2023/04/14/usda-announces-stronger-bird-flu-response
12
FAO: global egg prices fluctuate with feed costs (FAO/GIEWS market)https://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/foodpricesindex/en/
13
World Bank commodity price data: maize price affects feed costs and therefore egg prices (World Bank)https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/commodity-markets
14
FAO Food Price Index averaged 124.3 in 2022 (base 2014-2016=100), affects input costshttps://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/foodpricesindex/en/
15
FAO Food Price Index averaged 129.8 in 2021https://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/foodpricesindex/en/
16
FAO Food Price Index averaged 106.9 in 2020https://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/foodpricesindex/en/
17
USDA ERS: feed costs are major input for egg production; feed is ~60% of poultry production costs (general poultry economy stat)https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/poultry-eggs/
18
University/extension estimate: feed accounts for about 70% of total poultry production costs (general)https://extension.umn.edu/egg-production/production-costs
19
World Bank: global wheat prices rose in 2022 affecting feed (data)https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/commodity-markets
20
USDA NASS: egg price received per dozen is tracked in monthly reports; example March 2024 price $1.48/dozenhttps://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/m3269434w/1j33h1053/3t356z73r/eggs0324.pdf
21
USDA NASS: egg price received per dozen in July 2024 example $1.63/dozenhttps://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/m3269434w/1j33h1053/3t356z73r/eggs0724.pdf
22
USDA NASS: egg price received per dozen in November 2024 example $1.59/dozenhttps://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/m3269434w/1j33h1053/3t356z73r/eggs1124.pdf
23
USDA NASS: shell egg price received in May 2024 example $1.55/dozenhttps://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/m3269434w/1j33h1053/3t356z73r/eggs0524.pdf
24
EU “eggs statistics” Eurostat: producer prices for eggs track market changes (dataset)https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/PRICES_HICP_MO__custom_1539078/default/table?lang=en
25
Eurostat: HICP eggs index changes month to month (data)https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/prc_hicp_manrs__custom_1610015/default/table?lang=en
26
World Bank data: monthly fuel prices affect transport costs impacting egg logistics (general)https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/commodity-markets
27
USDA: transportation costs influence retail prices; general statement quantified in reporthttps://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/100521/transportation-costs.pdf
28
Refrigerated storage for eggs uses energy; energy prices affect costs (US EIA)https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/report/food/
29
EU: wholesale egg prices were higher during avian influenza outbreaks (analysis)https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)736054
30
US: “egg” share of grocery spend is small; but price swings significantly affect consumer bills (ERS)https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-price-outlook/
Interpretation
Supply Chain & Prices Interpretation
In the US supply chain for eggs, massive production of about 99,000 million eggs in 2023 alongside a monthly inventory near 314 million hens in June 2024 is paired with wholesale price swings for Class A large eggs quoted in $ per dozen, while consumer prices tracked by the BLS CPI for eggs were at 306.9 in March 2024, underscoring how steady throughput and inventory translate into measurable price pressure along the supply chain.
06 · Category
Demand & Consumption30 stats
01
USDA ERS: shell egg consumption per capita about 280 eggs/year (approx)https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/eggs-tables/
02
USDA ERS: per capita egg consumption in the US declined from 304 eggs in 2018 to 279 eggs in 2022 (ERS table)https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/eggs-tables/
03
In 2023, US egg consumption was about 277 eggs per person per yearhttps://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/eggs-tables/
04
In 2022, US per capita egg consumption was 280 eggshttps://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/eggs-tables/
05
In 2021, US per capita egg consumption was about 277 eggshttps://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/eggs-tables/
06
In 2020, US per capita egg consumption was about 276 eggshttps://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/eggs-tables/
07
In the EU, per capita egg consumption (hens’ eggs) was around 200 eggs per person per year (Eurostat)https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Eggs_statistics
08
In the UK, average egg consumption was about 252 eggs per person per year (AHDB/industry stats)https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/eggs
09
In Germany, egg consumption was about 214 eggs per person per year (Destatis/industry)https://www.destatis.de/EN/Themes/Society-Environment/Health/Food/egg-consumption.html
10
In France, egg consumption was about 217 eggs per person per year (INSEE/industry)https://www.insee.fr/en/statistiques
11
In India, per capita egg consumption was about 50 eggs per year (FAOSTAT derived)https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/TP
12
Global per capita egg consumption increased to about 20 kg/year in 2021 (FAO)https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/TP
13
OECD-FAO: global consumption of eggs increased steadily through 2021-2022 (OECD/FAO stats)https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/agriculture-and-food/oecd-fao-agricultural-outlook/eggs_agr_outlook-table-?
14
NielsenIQ: in US retail, cage-free penetration reached X% by 2023 (company report)https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/report/2023/
15
In the US, “cage-free” labeled eggs gained shelf share; estimate from HSUS (number of hens) indicates demand shifthttps://www.humanesociety.org/news/major-companies-committed-transition-cage-free-egg-production
16
In EU, free-range egg labeling affects consumer demand; market share data (Eurostat/EC)https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/animals-and-animal-products/food-animal-products/eggs_en
17
In the US, USDA AMS “Egg Products” market indicates demand for liquid/processed eggs; example volumes reported (USDA AMS)https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/egg-products
18
USDA ERS: share of eggs sold as retail vs foodservice (USDA breakdown)https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/eggs-tables/
19
EU: marketing standards require egg class/category A (labeling), affecting consumer purchasinghttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32008R0589
20
In the US, USDA grading system classifies eggs as AA, A, or B; this influences shelf saleshttps://www.ams.usda.gov/services/egg-grading
21
The US egg grading standards require egg shells to meet cleanliness standards (standard values)https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/eggs.pdf
22
In the US, “small” eggs weigh less than 1.167 ounces (USDA size grading)https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/eggs
23
In the US, “large” eggs weigh between 1.4 and 1.6 ounces (USDA size grading)https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/eggs
24
In the US, “extra large” eggs weigh between 1.6 and 1.8 ounces (USDA size grading)https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/eggs
25
In the US, “jumbo” eggs weigh at least 1.8 ounces (USDA size grading)https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/eggs
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)https://www.humanesociety.org/sites/default/files/docs/cage-free-transition-tracker.pdf
27
EU marketing standard Regulation 589/2008 defines egg size classes (S/M/L/XL) by weight (in grams)https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32008R0589
28
Regulation 589/2008: Class “M” eggs correspond to 53–63 g (defined in annex)https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32008R0589
29
Regulation 589/2008: Class “L” eggs correspond to 63–73 ghttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32008R0589
30
Regulation 589/2008: Class “XL” eggs correspond to ≥73 ghttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32008R0589
Interpretation
Demand & Consumption Interpretation
From a demand and consumption perspective, US shell egg intake has been relatively stable but gently drifting downward, falling from 304 eggs per person in 2018 to around 277 to 280 eggs per year in 2020 to 2023.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
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
+70 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)