During the current cost-of-living crisis, the humble egg remains one of the most affordable sources of protein for Aussie families.
As such, egg consumption is on the rise nationwide. Statistics reveal that in 2023, Australians ate an average of 280 eggs – about 15 kilograms – per person.
With our population expected to reach 28 million in less than two years, egg consumption is anticipated to increase annually to 300 eggs per person.
Attendees at a recent egg industry forum in Sydney were told that migrants played a huge role in the rise of eggs used in cooking, bringing new ways to cook and flavour eggs to Australia. This has helped maintain eggs’ popularity on the breakfast, lunch, and dinner table.
Australia’s commercial egg farmers produce around 17.8 million eggs a day, or more than 6.2 billion eggs a year.
About 22 million hens make up the nation’s commercial egg laying flock, which are cared for by 528 commercial egg farms in three different production systems – cage, free range, and barn laid.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Queensland is the largest egg producing state, accounting for 35 per cent of production. It’s followed by New South Wales (30 per cent), Victoria (19 per cent), Western Australia (8 per cent), South Australia (5 per cent) and Tasmania (3 per cent).
Egg Farmers of Australia represents Australia’s leading free range, cage, and barn laid egg farmers. Members includes large egg corporations, but most are family run egg farms.
EFA does not endorse one farming method over another. A mix of all three farming methods is needed to ensure consumers have choices in both the type and cost of the eggs they buy.
Also, without all three systems in place, Australia’s egg supply chain would not be able to keep up with the rising demand for domestic eggs.
The rise in consumption and demand for such an affordable, protein rich ingredient, means by as early as next year, egg consumption is likely to outstrip supply by around 15 million eggs a year.
As our population grows and consumer demand for eggs increases, so do some of the challenges facing farmers when it comes to expanding farm production.
Key issues include government regulations, a push by supermarkets to phase out cage eggs, the escalating cost of building products, and a lack of available land to expand egg farms – which is seen as major cities such as Sydney continue to encroach on valuable land that was once zoned rural.
The cost of feed products is also a worry, with farmers seeing costs skyrocket in recent years. Farmers are committed to ensuring their laying hens receive a wholesome, nutritious diet. This includes products high protein ingredients like wheat, soy meal, canola oil and finished ration. Three years ago, soy meal cost $600 per tonne. Today it is $1050 per tonne.
Despite these issues, consumers can be assured Australian eggs are clean and sustainable. Australia’s agricultural sector prides itself on producing clean, healthy foods and ingredients, and the egg industry is no exception.
Biosecurity plays a crucial part in commercial egg farming to reduce the risk of poultry and egg-borne disease entering the food production chain, and Australia has some of the highest food safety protocols in the world when comes to the supply of commercial eggs to food stores.
Most commercial egg farms implement their own strict key biosecurity measures in almost every aspect of their farming operation. This includes in the laying sheds and packaging and storage facilities where eggs are graded for sale.
When it comes to the environment, commercial eggs in Australia have one of the lowest carbon footprints of any protein production.
Despite the challenges faced by the industry, eggs are still one of the cheapest, safest, and most nutritious sources of protein for Australians. And also the most delicious.
