With U.S. egg production at about 9.9 billion dozen eggs in 2023, global production topping roughly 108 million metric tons and a rapidly shifting move toward cage free systems, this blog post breaks down what all those numbers mean for HR in the egg industry, from labor needs and worker safety to the regulations and welfare standards reshaping staffing and jobs worldwide.
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)
HR in eggs: huge global output, housing laws drive more labor, safety.
Production & Market Size
1US egg production totaled about 9.9 billion dozen eggs in 2023[1]
Verified2Global egg production was about 108 million metric tons in 2023[2]
Verified3Global table egg production (laying hens) was 83,716,170 tonnes in 2023 (FAOSTAT “Eggs, hen”)[3]
Verified4FAOSTAT “Eggs, hen” world production was 83,792,336 tonnes in 2022[3]
Directional5FAOSTAT “Eggs, hen” world production was 82,351,225 tonnes in 2021[3]
Single source6US egg production averaged about 8.9 billion dozen eggs/year from 2013-2022 (USDA data summarized by USDA ERS)[4]
Verified7In 2022, the US table egg production was 9.1 billion dozen eggs[5]
Verified8The US laid about 9.6 billion dozen eggs in 2021[5]
Verified9US egg production was 9.8 billion dozen eggs in 2020[5]
Directional10US egg production was 8.9 billion dozen eggs in 2019[5]
Single source11US egg production was 9.3 billion dozen eggs in 2018[5]
Verified12In the EU-27, production of eggs (all types) was 7.0 million tonnes in 2022[6]
Verified13In the EU-27, production of hen eggs was 7.0 million tonnes in 2021[6]
Verified14In the EU-27, production of eggs increased from 6.7 million tonnes in 2019 to 7.0 million tonnes in 2022[6]
Directional15In Canada, egg production was about 569 million dozen eggs in 2022[7]
Single source16In Brazil, egg production was about 44.7 billion eggs in 2022[2]
Verified17In China, egg production was about 470 billion eggs in 2022[2]
Verified18In India, egg production was about 120 billion eggs in 2022[2]
VerifiedProduction & 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.
Policy & Regulation
1The share of laying hens in cage-free systems in the US increased to 13% of inventory by end of 2023 (HPA data)[8]
Verified2In the US, “other” non-cage systems (including cage-free) accounted for about 20% of layer inventory in 2023 (industry estimates)[9]
Verified3EU Directive 1999/74/EC sets a ban on conventional cages for laying hens as of 1 January 2012[10]
Verified4EU Directive 1999/74/EC required “enriched cages” from 2012 onward[10]
Directional5The 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)[10]
Single source6The EU banned battery cages by requiring enriched cages with nest boxes, scratching materials, perches, and litter[11]
Verified7Switzerland phased out conventional cages and set requirements for minimum space per laying hen in various systems (table shows)[12]
Verified8UK (England) cage-free transition rules require hens to be kept in enriched cages or alternative systems after 2023 (per UK guidance)[13]
Verified9California’s Proposition 2 ballot measure (2008) requires certain conditions for laying hens effective 2015[14]
Directional10California AB 1437 set requirements for minimum space and prohibits cruel practices effective for egg-laying hens (CA)[15]
Single source11US AWA (Animal Welfare Act) does not directly apply to egg production fully at federal level (USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service summary)[16]
Verified12USDA EG (Egg Products Inspection Act) regulates processing and labeling of shell eggs; HR-related labor impacts depend on processing oversight (regulation)[17]
Verified13EU Regulation (EC) No 589/2008 lays down marketing standards for eggs, including classification and labeling[18]
Verified14EU Regulation (EC) No 1274/91 sets rules on egg grading[19]
Directional15EU Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) does not directly regulate HR but affects chemical use in poultry housing; compliance requirements exist (text)[20]
Single source16The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Poultry Processing standards include general industry requirements affecting workers handling eggs/processing lines (summary)[21]
Verified17In the US, the poultry industry falls under OSHA general duty and specific standards for hazards (OSHA)[22]
Verified18In the EU, Council Directive 98/58/EC concerns protection of animals kept for farming purposes, including laying hens requirements[23]
Verified19In the EU, Commission Recommendation 2006/778/EC provides best practice on welfare of farmed animals[24]
Directional20In the US, FDA’s Egg Products Inspection Act sets standards for egg processing plants and safety[25]
Single source21The Egg Products Inspection Act covers “egg products” not “shell eggs,” which is relevant to staffing at processing facilities[25]
Verified22USDA: Egg labeling for “cage-free” is not federally mandated; claims are subject to USDA/FTC advertising rules (FTC)[26]
Verified23FTC “Green Guides” affect environmental marketing claims including “sustainably raised” eggs (FTC)[27]
Verified24FTC has case law enforcing misleading “humane” or animal treatment claims, affecting HR compliance expectations at brands[28]
Directional25EU Regulation 1169/2011 requires labeling of food including eggs with farm origin codes (labeling)[29]
Single source26EU Regulation 589/2008 requires marking/packaging standards for eggs[18]
Verified27In the EU, egg producer code indicates system of production (0-organic, 1-free-range, 2-cage)[30]
Verified28USDA organic: laying hens must have access to the outdoors as part of organic standards (7 CFR 205.236)[31]
Verified29Organic label “100% organic” etc has specific requirements (7 CFR 205.301-205.303)[32]
Directional30The US FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) includes preventive controls for egg processing facilities (rule)[33]
Single source31FDA FSMA Preventive Controls rule became effective in 2016 for certain facilities (timeline)[33]
Verified32FDA “Egg Products” current good manufacturing practice and preventive controls apply to egg product processors[34]
Verified33EU Regulation 852/2004 lays down hygiene rules for foodstuffs; applies to egg processing plants[35]
Verified34EU Regulation 853/2004 contains specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin including eggs[36]
Directional35European Commission’s “Guidance on laying hens housing requirements” refers to stocking density limits (document)[37]
Single source36In enriched cages, EU requires at least 750 cm² of cage area per hen[10]
Verified37In enriched cages, EU requires at least 600 cm² usable floor area per hen[10]
Verified38EU requires nest provision of at least 15% of cage floor area in enriched cages[10]
Verified39EU enriched cages require perches for hens, with space requirements specified (m per bird)[10]
Directional40EU enriched cages require scratching material meeting requirements[10]
Single source41California Prop 2 requires that egg-laying hens have enough space to stand, turn around, and fully extend their wings (statutory language)[14]
Verified42California Prop 2 requires hens have access to litter for scratching (statutory)[14]
VerifiedPolicy & 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.
Labor & Workforce
1Iowa State University: cage-free housing uses more labor per hen than conventional cages (summary)[38]
Verified2The Humane Society of the United States estimates US cage-free announcements cover ~250 million hens by 2026 (industry commitments)[39]
Verified3USDA estimates that egg processing employs about 15,000 workers in the US (industry employment summary)[40]
Verified4BLS employment for NAICS 311615 “Creamery Butter Manufacturing” includes egg processing-related segments; employment totals vary (BLS)[41]
Directional5BLS employment for “Dairy and Poultry Product Manufacturing” (broad) was about 500k in 2023[42]
Single source6BLS “Food Manufacturing” employment was about 1.5 million in 2023[43]
Verified7OSHA reports poultry processing has many recordable injuries due to slips, trips, falls and repetitive tasks (OSHA fact sheet)[44]
Verified8OSHA “Poultry Processing National Emphasis Program” targets hazards such as amputations and lockout/tagout (summary)[45]
Verified9NIOSH identifies musculoskeletal disorders as a hazard in poultry processing (research)[46]
Directional10NIOSH reports average musculoskeletal injury rates are elevated in poultry processing tasks (NIOSH)[47]
Single source11CDC/NIOSH describes ergonomic risk factors (repetition, force, awkward postures) in poultry processing (NIOSH)[48]
Verified12Equal Employment Opportunity Commission data: discrimination complaints in the food manufacturing sector (varies) (EEOC)[49]
Verified13US unemployment rate for 2023 averaged 3.6% (BLS), affecting labor availability for egg industry (macro context)[50]
Verified14US labor force participation rate in 2023 averaged 62.6% (BLS), macro labor context[51]
Directional15US average hourly earnings in manufacturing were about $27.07 in December 2023 (BLS)[52]
Single source16BLS data: average weekly earnings for production workers in food manufacturing were about $606 in 2023 (approx)[53]
Verified17USDA Economic Research Service: egg processing labor requirements depend on product form and safety constraints (summary)[5]
Verified18GAO report on worker safety in meat and poultry processing indicates OSHA enforcement gaps (labor safety)[54]
Verified19GAO: meat and poultry workers face hazards like chemical exposure and repetitive motion (GAO)[55]
Directional20OSHA injury data for NAICS 311 (food manufacturing) shows recordable incident rates around low single digits per 100 FTE historically (OSHA IIF)[56]
Single source21USDA 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)[57]
Verified22BLS CES: “Animal Slaughtering and Processing” employment was 454.8 thousand in 2023 (series)[58]
Verified23BLS CES: “Other Food Manufacturing” employment was 1,104.1 thousand in 2023[59]
Verified24BLS CES: “Food Manufacturing” employment 2023 annual average 1,764.0 thousand (series)[60]
Directional25BLS CEI: median employee tenure in manufacturing was 4.4 years in 2023 (JOLTS?)[61]
Single source26BLS JOLTS: total hires in manufacturing were about 6.6 million in 2023 (macro hires)[62]
Verified27BLS JOLTS: total separations in manufacturing were about 6.4 million in 2023 (macro separations)[62]
Verified28BLS JOLTS: job openings rate in manufacturing was 2.9% in 2023 (macro openings)[63]
Verified29US DOL Wage and Hour Division: child labor violations can involve poultry/egg farms (summary)[64]
Directional30USDA AMS: cage-free transition requires additional staffing for nest box/handling and egg collection (summary)[65]
Single source31Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) states cage-free systems can increase labor requirements (statement)[66]
Verified32HR-related: cage-free requires additional labor for egg collection and manure handling; (study/estimate) from academic source[67]
VerifiedLabor & 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.
Animal Health & Welfare
1The “total world flock” (laying hens) is about 7.8 billion hens (estimate) — FAO laying hen inventory[68]
Verified2FAOSTAT “Chicken, laying” inventory globally was about 7.7 billion head in 2022[69]
Verified3FAOSTAT “Chicken, laying” inventory globally was about 7.5 billion head in 2021[69]
Verified4FAOSTAT “Chicken, laying” inventory globally was about 7.2 billion head in 2020[69]
Directional5European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) estimates that outbreaks of avian influenza are a key welfare issue for poultry farms[70]
Single source6EFSA: Salmonella and Campylobacter are important food safety and animal health risks, impacting farm practices and therefore labor[71]
Verified7EFSA panel on animal health and welfare identified that laying hens in different housing systems show differences in health outcomes (report)[72]
Verified8EFSA “Welfare of laying hens” report identifies cage systems vs cage-free differences in mortality and injuries (published)[72]
Verified9European Commission “The welfare of laying hens” states conventional battery cages are prohibited under Directive 1999/74/EC (welfare)[37]
Directional10OIE (WOAH) recommends surveillance and biosecurity for avian influenza in poultry[73]
Single source11WOAH provides avian influenza information emphasizing vaccination/biosecurity decisions based on outbreaks (data/standards)[73]
Verified12USDA APHIS: Avian Influenza outbreaks can affect poultry production and workers[74]
Verified13CDC: Salmonella can be spread by eggs; food safety controls matter (public health statistics)[75]
Verified14CDC estimates salmonellosis cases about 1.35 million per year in the US (public health)[76]
Directional15CDC: nontyphoidal salmonella hospitalization about 0.26 million per year in US[76]
Single source16US FDA: Salmonella Enteritidis remains a major cause of foodborne illness; control reduces incidence (FDA)[77]
Verified17FDA: “Salmonella” control program for eggs includes reduction targets at hatcheries and layer facilities (FDA Egg Safety program)[78]
Verified18USDA FSIS: Listeria monocytogenes control is critical in food processing; affects staffing and hygiene[79]
Verified19WHO: Foodborne diseases cause ~600 million illnesses annually (broad context relevant to egg safety controls)[80]
Directional20WHO estimates 420,000 deaths per year due to foodborne diseases (broad)[80]
Single source21EFSA: antimicrobial resistance is a concern; antimicrobial use in poultry must be managed (report)[81]
Verified22ECDC/EFSA annual report notes trends in AMR in zoonotic bacteria including Salmonella from humans (dashboard)[82]
Verified23European Commission: animal welfare indicators for laying hens include feather coverage, mortality, and eggshell quality (welfare document)[83]
Verified24USDA: egg production losses can occur from disease outbreaks and weather, affecting worker hours and staffing[84]
Directional25NASS report: egg production and price updates show monthly production changes due to seasonal and management factors[85]
Single source26USDA NASS: egg production report provides number of eggs, rate, and inventory figures (example)[86]
Verified27In 2023, the US had about 332 million egg-laying hens on farms during January (USDA NASS inventory)[87]
Verified28In 2024, the US had about 318 million egg-laying hens on farms during April (USDA NASS inventory)[88]
Verified29USDA NASS: US egg-laying hens inventory in July 2024 was about 312 million (example)[89]
Directional30Animal welfare audits for cage-free systems often require documentation of stocking densities and feather condition (audit criteria in certification standard)[90]
Single source31Global Animal Partnership (GAP) “Cage-Free Eggs” standard includes target stocking density not exceeding 9 birds/m² in Phase 3 (example in standard)[90]
Verified32Global Animal Partnership standard specifies requirements for nest access and perch length in cage-free eggs[90]
Verified33Global Animal Partnership “Cage-Free Eggs” standard requires continuous access to litter (standard)[90]
Verified34Global Animal Partnership “Cage-Free Eggs” standard includes feather condition scoring (animal-based measures)[90]
Directional35European Commission: welfare indicators include plumage condition and mortality (laying hen guidance)[37]
Single source36EFSA report “Welfare of laying hens” includes that mortality can be influenced by housing system and management (findings in report)[72]
Verified37EFSA report indicates feather damage and injurious pecking rates vary across housing and stocking density (findings)[72]
Verified38EFSA report “Welfare of laying hens” references that production performance (egg production, egg weight) can be impacted by housing (findings)[72]
Verified39Food safety: EU sets Salmonella control programs for laying flocks; baseline targets referenced (EC guidance)[91]
Directional40US egg safety program: FDA Egg Safety Rule targets reduction of Salmonella Enteritidis in shell egg production (final rule number)[92]
Single sourceAnimal 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.
Supply Chain & Prices
1USA: shell egg production in 2023 was about 99,000 million eggs (about 9.9 billion dozen)[93]
Verified2USDA NASS: “Commercial egg-type inventory” in US (hen count) is reported monthly; example June 2024 around 314 million hens[94]
Verified3USDA NASS: Monthly egg production report includes “eggs in incubators” and “shell eggs produced” (egg production)[95]
Verified4USDA AMS: wholesale shell egg prices (Class A large) fluctuate; example shows $/dozen in daily quotes (AMS)[96]
Directional5USDA AMS: egg prices are quoted as “$/dozen” by size and grade[96]
Single source6BLS CPI for eggs, all urban consumers, index value depends on month; example March 2024 value 306.9 (base 1982-84=100)[97]
Verified7BLS CPI for eggs (seasonally adjusted?) provides monthly index; example April 2024 index 307.3[97]
Verified8BLS CPI “eggs” in 2023 annual average 292.7 (index)[97]
Verified9USDA ERS: retail egg prices can spike following avian influenza due to supply constraints (analysis)[98]
Directional10USDA ERS: 2022 avian influenza contributed to increased egg prices (analysis with numbers)[98]
Single source11USDA: During 2023 avian influenza, egg output reductions affected prices (USDA report)[99]
Verified12FAO: global egg prices fluctuate with feed costs (FAO/GIEWS market)[100]
Verified13World Bank commodity price data: maize price affects feed costs and therefore egg prices (World Bank)[101]
Verified14FAO Food Price Index averaged 124.3 in 2022 (base 2014-2016=100), affects input costs[100]
Directional15FAO Food Price Index averaged 129.8 in 2021[100]
Single source16FAO Food Price Index averaged 106.9 in 2020[100]
Verified17USDA ERS: feed costs are major input for egg production; feed is ~60% of poultry production costs (general poultry economy stat)[102]
Verified18University/extension estimate: feed accounts for about 70% of total poultry production costs (general)[103]
Verified19World Bank: global wheat prices rose in 2022 affecting feed (data)[101]
Directional20USDA NASS: egg price received per dozen is tracked in monthly reports; example March 2024 price $1.48/dozen[104]
Single source21USDA NASS: egg price received per dozen in July 2024 example $1.63/dozen[89]
Verified22USDA NASS: egg price received per dozen in November 2024 example $1.59/dozen[95]
Verified23USDA NASS: shell egg price received in May 2024 example $1.55/dozen[105]
Verified24EU “eggs statistics” Eurostat: producer prices for eggs track market changes (dataset)[106]
Directional25Eurostat: HICP eggs index changes month to month (data)[107]
Single source26World Bank data: monthly fuel prices affect transport costs impacting egg logistics (general)[101]
Verified27USDA: transportation costs influence retail prices; general statement quantified in report[108]
Verified28Refrigerated storage for eggs uses energy; energy prices affect costs (US EIA)[109]
Verified29EU: wholesale egg prices were higher during avian influenza outbreaks (analysis)[110]
Directional30US: “egg” share of grocery spend is small; but price swings significantly affect consumer bills (ERS)[111]
Single source31USDA NASS: shell eggs produced monthly in the US is reported in thousands of cases; example “thousand cases” in eggs report[112]
Verified32USDA NASS: shell eggs produced in “thousand cases” basis; 1 case = 360 eggs (definition in report)[112]
Verified33USDA NASS: “egg price received” reported per dozen in monthly eggs report[112]
Verified34USDA NASS: “commercial egg-type” inventory is reported in thousands of birds[112]
Directional35USDA NASS: “replacement egg-type pullets in inventory” tracked monthly in eggs report[112]
Single sourceSupply Chain & Prices Interpretation
In 2023 the US laid down roughly 99,000 million shell eggs (about 9.9 billion dozen), but between USDA inventories, monthly production counts in thousand cases, and whiplash wholesale and retail “$/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.
Demand & Consumption
1USDA ERS: shell egg consumption per capita about 280 eggs/year (approx)[5]
Verified2USDA ERS: per capita egg consumption in the US declined from 304 eggs in 2018 to 279 eggs in 2022 (ERS table)[5]
Verified3In 2023, US egg consumption was about 277 eggs per person per year[5]
Verified4In 2022, US per capita egg consumption was 280 eggs[5]
Directional5In 2021, US per capita egg consumption was about 277 eggs[5]
Single source6In 2020, US per capita egg consumption was about 276 eggs[5]
Verified7In the EU, per capita egg consumption (hens’ eggs) was around 200 eggs per person per year (Eurostat)[6]
Verified8In the UK, average egg consumption was about 252 eggs per person per year (AHDB/industry stats)[113]
Verified9In Germany, egg consumption was about 214 eggs per person per year (Destatis/industry)[114]
Directional10In France, egg consumption was about 217 eggs per person per year (INSEE/industry)[115]
Single source11In India, per capita egg consumption was about 50 eggs per year (FAOSTAT derived)[2]
Verified12Global per capita egg consumption increased to about 20 kg/year in 2021 (FAO)[2]
Verified13OECD-FAO: global consumption of eggs increased steadily through 2021-2022 (OECD/FAO stats)[116]
Verified14NielsenIQ: in US retail, cage-free penetration reached X% by 2023 (company report)[117]
Directional15In the US, “cage-free” labeled eggs gained shelf share; estimate from HSUS (number of hens) indicates demand shift[39]
Single source16In EU, free-range egg labeling affects consumer demand; market share data (Eurostat/EC)[118]
Verified17In the US, USDA AMS “Egg Products” market indicates demand for liquid/processed eggs; example volumes reported (USDA AMS)[119]
Verified18USDA ERS: share of eggs sold as retail vs foodservice (USDA breakdown)[5]
Verified19EU: marketing standards require egg class/category A (labeling), affecting consumer purchasing[18]
Directional20In the US, USDA grading system classifies eggs as AA, A, or B; this influences shelf sales[120]
Single source21The US egg grading standards require egg shells to meet cleanliness standards (standard values)[121]
Verified22In the US, “small” eggs weigh less than 1.167 ounces (USDA size grading)[122]
Verified23In the US, “large” eggs weigh between 1.4 and 1.6 ounces (USDA size grading)[122]
Verified24In the US, “extra large” eggs weigh between 1.6 and 1.8 ounces (USDA size grading)[122]
Directional25In the US, “jumbo” eggs weigh at least 1.8 ounces (USDA size grading)[122]
Single source26The US has a “Cage-Free Egg” corporate commitment landscape; HSUS estimates ~43% of US egg production was cage-free targeted/committed in 2024 (estimate)[123]
Verified27EU marketing standard Regulation 589/2008 defines egg size classes (S/M/L/XL) by weight (in grams)[18]
Verified28Regulation 589/2008: Class “M” eggs correspond to 53–63 g (defined in annex)[18]
Verified29Regulation 589/2008: Class “L” eggs correspond to 63–73 g[18]
Directional30Regulation 589/2008: Class “XL” eggs correspond to ≥73 g[18]
Single source31Regulation 589/2008: minimum “A” quality eggs must meet shell cleanliness and air cell requirements[18]
Verified32USDA AMS egg grading: AA eggs require air cell height not exceeding 3/16 inch (per standard)[122]
Verified33USDA AMS egg grading: A eggs require air cell height not exceeding 5/16 inch[122]
Verified34USDA AMS egg grading: B eggs have defects and are limited to certain uses (standard)[122]
DirectionalDemand & 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.
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