France hits record egg consumption in 2025
Rising domestic demand triggers production expansion and higher imports
FRANCE – France saw its highest-ever egg consumption in 2025 as households turned to eggs for an affordable source of protein amid economic uncertainty, according to the French egg industry group CNPO.
The average French resident consumed 237 eggs during the year, including both shell eggs and processed egg products, up from 227 eggs in 2024.
Industry projections from the French technical institute ITAVI indicate consumption could rise to 269 eggs per person annually by 2035, with around 70% expected to be shell eggs.
The surge in egg demand that began during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has persisted despite expectations of a decline, Circana reported.
Wholesale egg prices increased by approximately 20% over the past year, while retail prices remained relatively stable due to a government mechanism linking food costs to farmers’ expenses.
French producers have expanded output to meet demand but are still struggling to keep pace, prompting plans for 575 new poultry houses to accommodate an additional 10 million laying hens by 2035.
Imports into France rose 21% in 2025, with Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands supplying most of the additional eggs, while direct shipments from Ukraine remain limited but often arrive via other EU countries, CNPO Chair Yves-Marie Beaudet said.
EU data shows imports from Ukraine increased by 67% in the first ten months of 2025, making it the top foreign egg supplier to the bloc.
Industry revenue in France is forecast to grow from US$12.7 billion in 2025 to US$21.8 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 7% from 2026 onward.
The cage-free segment is expected to grow particularly rapidly, with market value projected to rise from US$2.5 billion in 2024 to US$5.8 billion by 2033, at an 11.1% annual growth rate.
Egg powder and related products are also expanding, with sales predicted to increase from US$1.9 billion in 2025 to US$3.2 billion by 2032 at a 7.6% growth rate, while white eggs are expected to grow faster than brown eggs.
Consumer trends continue to shape the market, as affordability, nutritional value, and compatibility with flexible diets support steady demand across retail and foodservice channels.
Preferences for higher-welfare eggs, such as free-range, Label Rouge, and organic, are influencing production practices and encouraging the shift away from cage systems, which are expected to be largely phased out by 2033.
Retailers are offering competitive prices in supermarkets, while online sales and click-and-collect options are becoming more common.
Foodservice businesses face pressure to adopt ethical standards amid rising input costs.
The sector faces challenges from supply disruptions caused by avian influenza outbreaks and weather-related delivery bans, with out-of-stock rates reaching 13-15% in 2025 and peaking at 18% at certain times.
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