The European egg sector continues to benefit from strong market fundamentals, with average EU Class A egg prices standing at €279.62 per 100kg in late May 2026. While prices eased 0.9% from the previous week and remain 4.5% below the highs seen earlier in the year, they are still 6.1% higher than a year ago, reflecting continued strength in the market.
The European Union produced an estimated 6.66 million tonnes of eggs in 2024, with France, Germany and Spain remaining the bloc’s largest producers. Together, the three countries accounted for almost 44% of total EU egg production. France led the sector with just over one million tonnes, followed closely by Germany and Spain.
Production capacity also continues to evolve. The EU now has more than 401 million laying hens, with 64.3% housed in non-cage systems. Barn production accounts for the largest share of housing at 41.3%, followed by free-range systems at 16.5% and organic production at 6.5%. Enriched cages now represent 35.7% of total capacity, underlining the industry’s ongoing shift toward alternative production systems.
Trade trends were mixed during the opening month of 2026. Extra-EU egg imports increased by 28.9% year-on-year to 17,872 tonnes of egg equivalent, driven by significant growth in supplies from China, the United States and North Macedonia. Meanwhile, EU exports declined 19.2% to 24,335 tonnes, largely due to reduced shipments to the UK and Japan, although sales to South Korea and Taiwan increased sharply.
Despite recent price adjustments, EU egg producers continue to enjoy a premium over major international competitors. Average EU egg prices remain substantially higher than those in Brazil, India and the United States, highlighting both strong domestic demand and the higher production standards required across the European market.