Quarterly UK statistics about eggs – statistics notice (data to March 2024)
Updated 2 May 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/egg-statistics/quarterly-uk-statistics-about-eggs-statistics-notice-data-to-march-2024
All eggs from free range flocks were re-labelled as barn eggs from 21st March to 2nd May 2022 due to avian influenza restrictions.
This release shows quarterly information on the numbers of eggs packed in UK packing stations and processed by UK processors. This covers the vast majority of total eggs produced. It shows usage and farm-gate egg prices and includes monthly information on the trade in eggs and egg products.
Due to new methodology introduced for the first quarter of 2024, the figures in this bulletin are likely to differ from previous releases; details of these changes and the reasons for them can be found in section 5.1 near the bottom of this release. These changes have been backdated to the first quarter of 2023 to allow for like-for-like comparisons between data points across this timeframe.
1. Key messages
- 248 million dozen eggs were produced for human consumption during the first quarter of 2024. This represents 1.5% increase on the first quarter in 2023 and a 0.6% increase on quarter four 2023.
- The average UK farm-gate egg price through the first quarter of 2024 was 143 pence per dozen, this represents a 16% increase on quarter one of 2023 and a 3.5% increase on quarter four 2023.
- The production of egg products during the first quarter of 2024 totalled 17.8 thousand tonnes, a 2.2% decrease on the previous quarter and a 18% decrease on the quarter one of 2023.
2. UK egg packing volumes, methods of production, UK country breakdowns and price statistics
The tables in this section show quarterly information on the volumes of eggs passed through the UK egg packing stations. These eggs generally account for nearly 90% of total egg production. Packing station figures include throughput of both graded and ungraded eggs.
- The number of eggs which were produced for human consumption in Q1 2024 increased 1.5% on the same quarter in 2023.
- Egg prices increased to 142.9 pence per dozen, a 3.5% rise on Q4 2023 price and 16% higher than Q1 2023.
Table 1: Production of UK eggs for human consumption (Million dozens)
| Period | Shell eggs | Processed eggs | Total eggs | % change year on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Q1 | 216 | 28 | 244 | NA |
| Q2 | 209 | 28 | 237 | NA |
| Q3 | 210 | 29 | 239 | NA |
| Q4 | 221 | 25 | 246 | NA |
| 2024 Q1 | 223 | 25 | 248 | 1.5% |
Year on year changes are not available for periods prior to 2024 Q1 due to a change in methodology. At the time of this publication, these changes have only been backdated to 2023 Q1.
Table 2: UK Packing Station egg throughput by egg production type (Million dozens)
| Period | Enriched | Barn | Free range | Organic | Total shell eggs | % change year on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Q1 | 50 | 62 | 109 | 9 | 230 | NA |
| Q2 | 55 | 26 | 142 | 9 | 231 | NA |
| Q3 | 57 | 17 | 151 | 9 | 234 | NA |
| Q4 | 57 | 16 | 158 | 9 | 241 | NA |
| 2024 Q1 | 50 | 12 | 172 | 10 | 244 | 6.3% |
Year on year changes are not available for periods prior to 2024 Q1 due to a change in methodology. At the time of this publication, these changes have only been backdated to 2023 Q1.
All eggs from free range flocks were re-labelled as barn eggs from 21st March to 2nd May 2022 due to avian influenza restrictions.
Eggs produced from hens in enriched colony systems accounted for 20% of the total throughput in Q1 2024. Free range eggs accounted for 70% of Q1 2024throughput.
All eggs from free range flocks were re-labelled as barn eggs from 21st March to 2nd May 2022 due to avian influenza restrictions.
Table 3: Average UK farm-gate egg price (Pence per dozen)
| Period | Enriched cage | Barn | Free Range | Organic | All Eggs | % change on previous year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Q1 | 88 | c | 135 | c | 123 | NA |
| Q2 | 100 | c | 146 | c | 132 | NA |
| Q3 | 99 | c | 150 | c | 138 | NA |
| Q4 | 97 | c | 151 | c | 138 | NA |
| 2024 Q1 | 100 | c | 152 | c | 143 | 16% |
‘c’ confidential
Year on year changes are not available for periods prior to 2024 Q1 due to a change in methodology. At the time of this publication, these changes have only been backdated to 2023 Q1.
3. UK egg processing statistics
The number of eggs bought by UK egg processors in 2024 Q1 totalled 21.4 thousand tons a decrease of 12% on the same period in 2023. Liquid egg accounted for 82% of the total production in 2024 Q1. Total production was down 18% in 2024 Q1 compared to the same quarter last year.
Table 4: Number of eggs bought by UK Egg Processors
| Period | UK eggs (million dozen) | Imported eggs (million dozen) | Total available for processing (million dozen) | Total available for processing (million dozen) | % change year on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Q1 | 28 | 5 | 33 | 24 | NA |
| Q2 | 28 | 5 | 33 | 24 | NA |
| Q3 | 29 | 4 | 33 | 24 | NA |
| Q4 | 25 | 5 | 30 | 22 | NA |
| 2024 Q1 | 25 | 4 | 29 | 21 | -12% |
Table 5: Production of egg products by UK Egg Processors (Thousand tonnes)
| Period | Liquid Egg | Hard Boiled egg | Other products | Total production | % change year on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Q1 | 15 | 5 | c | 22 | NA |
| Q2 | 15 | 5 | c | 20 | NA |
| Q3 | 15 | 5 | c | 21 | NA |
| Q4 | 14 | 4 | c | 18 | NA |
| 2024 Q1 | 15 | 3 | c | 18 | -18% |
‘c’ confidential
Year on year changes are not available for periods prior to 2024 Q1 due to a change in methodology. At the time of this publication, these changes have only been backdated to 2023 Q1.
(a) Separate data for Hard Boiled Eggs and Other Products is currently unavailable to avoid disclosure of confidential information.
The volume of eggs processed also includes any processing carried out for external customers who supply their own eggs. This can cause the overall volume of eggs processed to be higher than the volume of eggs purchased, as in the statistics for Q3 2019.
4. UK Egg Trade
Trade figures are supplied by HM Revenue and Customs. Trade data marked as provisional may be subject to revision.
- The latest data for February 2024 shows imports of shell eggs at 3.0 million dozens, a 17% decrease on the same period last year. Imports of egg products are up 38% at 10.5 million dozens compared to February 2023.
- Shell egg export figures for February 2024 are 1.2 million dozens, down 25% compared to the same period in 2023, whilst egg product exports were 1.1 million dozens, up 38% compared to February 2023.
Table 6 UK Trade in Shell Eggs (Million dozens) – Imports
| Month | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 12 month moving totals | % change 2023/2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 3 | 3 | 58 | 27% |
| February | 3 | 4 | 3 | 57 | -17% |
| March | 3 | 6 | NA | NA | NA |
| April | 2 | 5 | NA | NA | NA |
| May | 2 | 7 | NA | NA | NA |
| June | 4 | 6 | NA | NA | NA |
| July | 2 | 5 | NA | NA | NA |
| August | 2 | 5 | NA | NA | NA |
| September | 2 | 4 | NA | NA | NA |
| October | 2 | 6 | NA | NA | NA |
| November | 2 | 4 | NA | NA | NA |
| December | 4 | 4 | NA | NA | NA |
All trade data are provisional
Table 7 UK Trade in Shell Eggs (Million dozens) – Exports
| Month | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 12 month moving totals | % change 2023/2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 6.7% |
| February | 2 | 2 | 1 | 21 | -25% |
| March | 2 | 2 | NA | NA | NA |
| April | 2 | 2 | NA | NA | NA |
| May | 2 | 2 | NA | NA | NA |
| June | 2 | 2 | NA | NA | NA |
| July | 2 | 2 | NA | NA | NA |
| August | 2 | 2 | NA | NA | NA |
| September | 2 | 2 | NA | NA | NA |
| October | 2 | 2 | NA | NA | NA |
| November | 1 | 2 | NA | NA | NA |
| December | 2 | 2 | NA | NA | NA |
Table 8 UK Trade in Egg Products (a) (Million dozens) – Imports
| Month | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 12 month moving totals | % change 2023/2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8 | 8 | 10 | 111 | 24% |
| February | 8 | 8 | 10 | 114 | 38% |
| March | 8 | 9 | NA | NA | NA |
| April | 7 | 8 | NA | NA | NA |
| May | 9 | 10 | NA | NA | NA |
| June | 8 | 9 | NA | NA | NA |
| July | 9 | 10 | NA | NA | NA |
| August | 8 | 10 | NA | NA | NA |
| September | 7 | 9 | NA | NA | NA |
| October | 8 | 10 | NA | NA | NA |
| November | 9 | 9 | NA | NA | NA |
| December | 8 | 8 | NA | NA | NA |
(a) Figures are based on SITCs: 025.21, 025.22 and 025.30, converted to shell egg equivalent.
All trade data are provisional
Table 9 UK Trade in Egg Products (a) (Million dozens) – Exports
| Month | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 12 month moving totals | % change 2023/2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 100% |
| February | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 38% |
| March | 0 | 1 | NA | NA | NA |
| April | 0 | 1 | NA | NA | NA |
| May | 1 | 1 | NA | NA | NA |
| June | 1 | 1 | NA | NA | NA |
| July | 1 | 1 | NA | NA | NA |
| August | 1 | 0 | NA | NA | NA |
| September | 1 | 1 | NA | NA | NA |
| October | 1 | 1 | NA | NA | NA |
| November | 1 | 1 | NA | NA | NA |
| December | 1 | 2 | NA | NA | NA |
(a) Figures are based on SITCs: 025.21, 025.22 and 025.30, converted to shell egg equivalent.
All trade data are provisional
5. About these statistics
5.1 Updates to methodology
To meet changing user demands with regards to packer outputs and the weights of different classes of eggs, the survey sent out to respondents in the sample has changed and additional questions are being asked with regards to outputs.
In addition to this, returns from egg processors are now weighted to an estimated egg total acquired from packers to account for non-response. This will produce a more accurate estimate of the total number of eggs processed by UK processors.
Changes to the number of eggs produced per bird based on the hen housed average (time a hen spends in the laying flock) the overall estimate for the laying flock size has increased which will contribute towards a higher egg production estimate.
5.2 Methodology
Egg Packing Statistics: The number of commercial laying hens is estimated based on the Defra Hatchery Survey layer chick placings. Total egg throughput is modelled using the number of commercial laying hens, average egg yields, average mortality rates and the proportion of UK eggs that go through packing stations. To estimate further breakdowns from this total output, Defra runs a quarterly survey of registered UK egg packing stations. It collects data on egg production methods (i.e. free range, enriched cages etc.), country of packing and prices. This “Egg Packers survey” is a voluntary survey of 27 packing stations across the UK, which accounts for around 75% of eggs packed in the UK. The response rate is typically 100 per cent.
The prices obtained on the survey are weighted according to the volume of eggs packed by each packing station to obtained average prices for the UK. From 2012, prices include any bonus payments paid to producers.
Egg processing statistics: Defra runs a quarterly survey of all registered egg processors. It is a voluntary survey of 9 respondents that collects information on the number of eggs bought by egg processors and the quantity of egg products produced.
Due to the survey coverage, the responses from this survey are then weighted up using a factor derived from the overall number of eggs sent through to processors, which is returned as part of the packers survey.
In tables that show numbers of eggs the units used are now ‘million dozens’. These were previously published in ‘thousand cases’ where there are 360 eggs or 30 dozens in one case.
Trade statistics: These figures come from HM Revenue and Customs, but are validated and adjusted if necessary prior to publication. The Standard Industrial Trade Classification codes used to produce each table are given in the footnotes below the tables.
The data are subject to a variety of validation checks which identify inconsistencies in the data. All data are cleaned prior to publication. The percentage changes shown are calculated using unrounded figures. Thus any percentage changes calculated using the published (rounded) figures may not equate exactly with the changes shown.
The UK 12 month moving totals represent the sum of the 12 months up to and including the date indicated. They can be seen as a trend measure that is not affected by seasonality.
Contact details are available on the front page of this notice, for you to send feedback or ask questions about the information provided.
5.3 Revisions
5.3.1 Revisions Policy
Figures in this notice are provisional and subject to revision. We will provide information about any revisions we make to previously published information in this statistics notice, and the associated datasets. Revisions could occur for various reasons, including:
- if we have not received survey data from respondents we make an estimate based on their previous returns. These estimates will be replaced with actual survey data when it is received.
- survey respondents occasionally supply amended figures for previous periods.
5.3.2 Revisions
12/12/2023 - Table 2: UK Packing Station egg throughput by egg production type – Quarter 3 2023 data have been revised due to an amended survey response.
5.4 Data users
Representatives of the egg and poultry industry are also major users of the data. The data on egg production volumes and egg type are key sector indicators for the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) as they reflect the size of the national laying flock. The British Free Range Egg Producers Association also makes heavy use of our data as it indicates the size of the free range sector. We work closely with these users and consult widely when considering any changes to our surveys or associated datasets.
The Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB – cereals and oilseeds), rely on egg production data as a good indicator of the commercial layer flock and associated feed demand and hence grain usage by the sector.
Our statistics are also often heavily referenced in industry publications such as “Poultry World” and “The Ranger”, the official magazine of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association.
5.5 Future publications
This quarterly release will be next updated at 09:30 on 25th April 2024. Full time series are available for download at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/egg-statistics.
6. National Statistics status
National Statistics are produced to high professional standards. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.
The continued designation of these statistics as National Statistics was confirmed in 2014 following a compliance check by the UK Statistics Authority (now the Office for Statistics Regulation) against the Code of Practice for Statistics.
Since the latest review by the Office for Statistics Regulation, we have continued to comply with the Code of Practice for Statistics and have enhanced data quality by reviewing methodologies and data sources.
For general enquiries about National Statistics, contact the National Statistics Public Enquiry Service: Tel: 0845 601 3034 Email: info@statistics.gov.uk.
You can find National Statistics on the internet at www.statistics.gov.uk/
Contact details
Livestock statistics team
Email: livestock.statistics@defra.gov.uk
Public enquiries: +44 (0) 2080 266306