European egg market faces supply shortages amid rising demand

The European egg market is facing significant volatility due to a surge in consumer demand and supply chain disruptions. In France and across the EU, egg consumption has risen sharply, with carton sales increasing by 25% over the last decade. This demand is driven by the product's affordability, nutritional value, and popularity on social media.

However, production capacity is struggling to keep pace. The poultry sector has been hit hard by avian influenza outbreaks, which have led to massive culls. For instance, Poland saw the loss of 9 million chickens, while Spain had to cull 2 million birds to prevent the spread of the disease.

To bridge the gap between local production and rising demand, the European Union has significantly increased imports, totaling 94,000 tonnes in the first quarter of the year alone. This reliance on imports from countries such as Ukraine, Turkey, and China has raised concerns regarding food sovereignty, sanitary standards, and unfair competition for local farmers who must adhere to stricter environmental and animal welfare regulations.