Retail egg market grows by 50% in 10 years

Retail egg sales have grown by more than 50% since 2008, according to the latest data issued by British Lion eggs.
Following thirteen years of growth, research shows that 2019 sales volume rose by 3.4% on the previous year, to 6.6bn eggs, equating to additional sales of around 220 million eggs. Eggs sales value also saw positive growth of 2.5% in 2019, to a total value of around £942 million.
With the nutritional benefits of eggs helping sales to skyrocket in line with the trend for healthy eating and meat reduction, all consumer demographics are buying more eggs. However, growth is primarily being driven by shoppers aged 18-44, who ate an average of 249 eggs per household in 2019, which is up 61% since 2008.
The growth from shoppers with larger households with children is a continuing trend and shows families remain crucial to volume growth.
Andrew Joret, Chairman of the British Egg Industry Council, said: “Retail egg sales have grown year on year for more than a decade, growing by 50% since 2008, which is phenomenal for an established market with such high penetration. Eggs are now much more than a staple fridge item for all consumers as they seek healthy meal solutions. Sales have remained positive this year too, with the latest four-week volume and value figures showing growth of 4.8% and 1.4%, respectively.
“Consumer confidence in eggs is strong, bolstered by the FSA advice that runny eggs are safe for vulnerable groups, so long as they are Lion. We have high expectations for the year ahead, driven by our £1m marketing campaign which will continue to deliver the health, safety, taste and convenience messaging that makes eggs so appealing to consumers across the nation.’’