Eggs are increasingly in demand in Germany. Consumption rose by more than four percent to 20.8 billion last year, preliminary figures show.
Egg consumption in Germany climbed by more than four percent to 20.8 billion eggs last year. This emerges from preliminary figures from the Federal Information Center Agriculture (BZL).
The per capita consumption has also grown. In 2024, an average of 249 eggs were eaten in this country. That was ten more than in the previous year, when an increase was also recorded. Processed eggs are also included in egg products.
Do prices rise at Easter?
The authority sees several reasons for development. “In comparison to other foods for consumers in retail, eggs prove to be relatively price -stable,” says the head of the BZL, Josef Goos. In addition, eggs are an inexpensive source for high -quality protein.
Despite the debate about exports to the United States, the head of the Federal Association of Egg does not expect rising egg prices for Easter. “The egg price is stable,” said Hans-Peter Goldnick that Bavarian radio.
Contracts between producers and dealers are then usually agreed for one year. “In this respect, this strong demand is now no reason for an increase in price at Easter,” says Goldnick.
Egg exports to the USA?
In addition, the head of the egg association sees hardly any opportunities to export eggs from Germany to the USA. “If you see the relation of the amount that is missing there and what we produce every day, then I have to say: No, that is actually not possible,” he said that Bavarian radio.
As a result, 56 million eggs are missing in the United States every day, and 46 million in Germany would be produced. An export therefore “doesn't make so much sense”.
Due to bird flu, there is currently a bottleneck in the United States, which allows prices to explode. The country is therefore looking for suppliers abroad.
Laying hens and egg production in Germany
According to the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE), the number of laying hens in Germany rose by one million animals to 51.4 million. The laying performance was 295 eggs per hen. A total of 15.2 billion consumer eggs were generated last year, which was three percent more than 2023.
72 percent of domestic goods were thus covered by domestic goods. Due to the high demand for eggs in Germany, more eggs from abroad were recently introduced. Compared to the previous year, the imports of bowl eggs and egg products such as full eggs, egg yolk and protein in 2024 each increased by seven percent. The most important delivery land for shell eggs are the Netherlands with a share of 76 percent. At the same time, however, more eggs were exported.
