Demand for affordable food has fueled a sharp increase in egg consumption in France, leading to a 20% rise in wholesale prices. The livestock industry plans to build an additional 575 new farms to meet market demand.
France is projected to see record egg consumption in 2025, as consumers prioritize more affordable protein sources amid economic uncertainty. This trend is not limited to France but is spreading across Europe and the global market.
Consumption is growing steadily.
According to a report from the French Egg Producers Association (CNPO), the average French person consumed 237 eggs in 2025, including both fresh and processed eggs. This represents a significant increase from 227 eggs in 2024.
Emily Mayer from market research firm Circana stated that demand has surged since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. While experts initially predicted a decline in demand after the pandemic, the market has actually shown steady and consistent growth over the years.
Pressure on wholesale prices and supply
Strong demand has directly impacted the supply chain. Data from the FranceAgriMer agricultural office shows that wholesale egg prices have increased by approximately 20% over the past year. However, retail prices at supermarkets have remained relatively stable thanks to government regulations linking food prices to farmers' actual production costs.
To address the supply shortage, the French egg industry aims to expand production over the next decade:
- The plan is to build 575 new poultry farms by 2035.
- Add another 10 million laying hens.
- The goal is to have 70% of production be eggs with shells.
Increased dependence on imports
Despite increasing domestic production, France still needs to increase imports to meet consumer demand. In 2025, egg imports were projected to increase by 21%, mainly from neighboring countries such as Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Notably, Ukraine is emerging as a leading supplier to the European market. According to EU data, egg imports from Ukraine into the bloc increased by 67% in the first 10 months of 2025. In France, although direct imports from Ukraine remain limited, a significant amount of the product still flows into the market through transit countries within the union.
| Consumption Index | 2024 | 2025 | Forecast for 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of eggs per person per year | 227 | 237 | 269 |
| Percentage of eggs with shells (%) | But | But | 70% |
The ITAVI Institute of Technology forecasts that demand will continue to increase in the long term, potentially reaching 269 eggs per person by 2035. This poses a significant challenge for producers in balancing domestic production capacity with competition from cheap imports.