The following tables outline various facts and figures about egg production, consumption, market breakdown and other industry data. These figures are provisional and a final version will be updated in May 2022
All figures for 2021 unless stated
.
|
Egg market size in 2021 (industry estimate) |
|
|---|---|
|
UK Production |
11.3 billion eggs |
|
Imports |
1.4 billion eggs |
|
Exports |
405 million eggs |
|
Total UK Consumption |
13.5 billion eggs (+4%) |
|
UK self-sufficiency |
92% |
Number of eggs eaten each day, and each year
|
Number of eggs eaten in the UK in 2021 (industry estimate - based on 67m population) |
|
|---|---|
|
Total per annum |
13.5 billion eggs |
|
Per capita |
202 |
|
Number per day |
37.1 million |
Retail
|
UK retail egg market 2021 (industry estimate) |
|
|---|---|
|
Sales value |
£1.2bn (-4%) |
|
Sales volume |
8.1bn (-7%) |
|
UK egg market breakdown for 2021 (industry estimate) |
|
|---|---|
|
Retail (shell eggs) |
65% |
|
Egg Products (eggs processed for food manufacture / foodservice) |
17% |
|
Foodservice (shell eggs) |
18% |
|
Retail sector - outlet share 2021 (industry estimate) |
|
|---|---|
|
Multiples |
64.4% |
|
Discounters |
22.5% |
|
Co-ops |
3.2% |
|
Market Stalls |
0.7% |
|
Independents and symbols |
0.9% |
|
Butchers |
0.9% |
|
Bargain stores |
1.7% |
|
Others |
5.7% |
Egg types
|
Egg type breakdown |
|
|---|---|
|
Total Market (Defra) 2021 |
|
|
Laying cage |
35.55% |
|
Free Range |
63.7% (inc estimated 4% organic) |
|
Barn |
1.75% |
|
Retail Sector (Kantar) 2021 |
|
|
Laying cage |
23.4% |
|
Free Range |
74.5% (inc estimated 3% organic) |
|
Barn |
2.1% |
|
UK laying flock - industry estimate |
|
|---|---|
|
2019 |
42m |
Egg consumption in the UK
-
Since 2006, egg consumption in the UK has grown almost every year, rising by 3bn eggs (industry estimates) over that period. This is an average growth of 260m eggs per year.
-
Free range sales have also risen sharply and now represent 70% of retail egg sales, which is more than double their level in 2004 (32%) (Kantar Worldpanel 2021 vs 2004 comparison).
-
Overall production of free range eggs, which will also include eggs for foodservice and food manufacturing has also more than doubled from 27% to 60% (DEFRA Egg Stats Notice - https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/egg-statistics).
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Overall per capita consumption has grown from 171 eggs per person per year to 202 eggs per person per year from 2004 to 2021 (industry estimates based on a number of independent data sources, including DEFRA, ONS and HMRC). The vast majority of growth has been in retail consumption, which has risen from 1.6 eggs per person per week to 2.3 eggs per person per week, which equates 120 eggs per person per year (a rise of almost 50 eggs) (industry estimates using Kantar Worldpanel and ONS data).
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The majority of eggs are sold through the retail channel, equating to about 65% of total sales, up from 48% in 2004, while foodservice equates for 16% and food manufacturing 17% (Industry data based on industry estimates, Kantar Worldpanel and Government data comparing data from 2004 and 2021).
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Between 2008 and 2021, retail egg sales showed particularly strong growth rising by 50%, and while all sectors of the population ate more eggs, growth was particularly strong among younger (18-44) consumers (Kantar Worldpanel, annual sales figures).
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The value of retail egg sales is over £1.2bn, which has risen by approximately £600m since 2004. Most of those eggs (65%) are sold through multiple retailers (Kantar Worldpanel)
Download industry data
Download Industry data 2004 - 2020.