World Consumption And Production Of Eggs

New chicken breeds have been developed for egg production (“layers”). These chickens are smaller in size, disease resistant and produce greater quantities of higher-quality eggs.

U.S. egg production has increased from 120 eggs/layer in 1937 to 231 eggs/layer in 1974 to 270 eggs/layer in 2001.

In 2000, egg consumption averaged 190 eggs/capita in high-income countries, 109 eggs/capita in middle-income countries and 31 eggs/capita in low-income countries. In the 1970s, egg consumption rose across all three income groups, but from 1980-2000, consumption declined by 14% in high-income countries, was unchanged in low-income countries and increased by 10% in middle-income countries.

There are two types of eggs produced worldwide, chicken (91-96% of worldwide totals from 1961-2001) and other eggs, produced mainly in Asia. In 2001 almost 94% of worldwide non-chicken egg output was produced in middle-income countries, 5% in low-income countries and less than 1% in high-income countries.