One year on from supermarket scramble - egg sales remain at record levels

Retail egg sales surged to a record high in 2020, ignited by lockdown panic purchasing in March 2020 and remaining a firm fixture in shopping baskets long after more regular shopping habits returned, according to the latest data.

Around 8bn eggs were sold at retail in the past year (52 we 21.3.21), an increase of more than 1bn on pre-pandemic levels, and a sharp rise in a market that has been in consistent long-term growth for more than a decade.

Despite the well-publicised initial demand for eggs during the first lockdown when panic purchasing was rife, four-week y-o-y sales from March 2020 vs 2021 have also remained consistent, while 52 we 21.3.21 retail sales averaged around 22m a day, up by around 3m a day.

Research shows sales growth has been particularly high among younger consumers, helped by the industry’s campaign to increase consumption among millennial audiences.

BEIC chairman Andrew Joret said: “The versatility, value, convenience and health credentials of eggs have really come into their own in the last year, giving consumers adjusting to having more time in the mornings and at lunch compelling reasons to get cracking more often.

“It’s particularly exciting that even more consumers are recognising the all-round benefits of eggs, which are the perfect meal solution throughout the day. We believe that there is a fantastic opportunity to maintain these incredible consumption levels even as lockdown eases.”

Sources: Kantar worldpanel 52 w/e 21.3.21; Kantar demographic Report 52 w/e 27.12.20