What's New ? - 2025

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), poultry meat will continue to dominate animal protein consumption in the United States in 2026. Data from the Economic Research Service indicate that per capita availability, used as a proxy for consumption, will rise slightly compared to previous years, underscoring the central role of poultry in the American diet. Broiler meat is projected to remain the most consumed animal product. Per capita availability in 2026 is forecast at 102.8 pounds, equivalent to about 46.6 kilograms per person.

The French Egg Producers Association has issued a strong warning regarding the import of eggs from Ukraine, claiming that these products do not comply with European regulatory standards. In particular, the association highlights that the eggs bear the code 3, which indicates that they come from hens kept in battery cages, a production method regarded within the European Union as incompatible with required welfare standards. Producers further contend that recent consignments of Ukrainian eggs imported into Europe were found to contain residues of prohibited antibiotics.

The European egg market in early 2025 has been shaped by notable shifts in both trade flows and production dynamics. Imports into the European Union rose sharply between January and April 2025, reaching over 50,000 tonnes of egg equivalent, an increase of more than forty percent compared with the same period in 2024. Ukraine strengthened its position as the dominant supplier to the EU, expanding its exports by nearly seventy percent. Other countries, including North Macedonia, Argentina, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, also recorded substantial growth, while imports from the United Kingdom and several smaller suppliers declined. On the export side, the EU maintained its status as a major global player, shipping almost 137,000 tonnes to markets outside the Union, an increase of more than thirteen percent compared with the previous year. The United Kingdom remained the primary destination for EU eggs, followed by Japan and Switzerland, although shipments to both declined slightly.

The Open Wing Alliance (OWA) report, "2025 OWA Cage-Free Egg Fulfillment Report," highlights significant global progress in the transition to cage-free egg production, driven by consumer demand and corporate social responsibility. It details how the OWA, a global network of animal advocacy organizations, supports companies in fulfilling their cage-free pledges, with an impressive 92% fulfillment rate for commitments due by 2024.

In a significant policy shift aimed at strengthening Argentina's agro-export sector, President Javier Milei announced a permanent reduction in export taxes on poultry and beef products. The export tax rate on these commodities was lowered from 6.75% to 5%, representing a 26% relative decrease in the fiscal burden on the meat export chain. The announcement was made on July 26, 2025, during the opening ceremony of the 137th Exposicion Rural in Buenos Aires, Argentina's premier agricultural trade fair.

Recent research underscores the potential health benefits of regular egg consumption, particularly in relation to cardiovascular and cognitive health. A 2025 randomized controlled trial published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that consuming two eggs daily as part of a low-saturated fat diet did not raise LDL cholesterol levels. In fact, it lowered LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations compared to a high-saturated fat control diet, indicating a potential reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Importantly, the study confirmed that saturated fat, not dietary cholesterol from eggs, is the key driver of elevated LDL cholesterol, challenging longstanding dietary guidelines that restricted egg intake.

In 2024, the total laying hen population in the EU reached approximately 393 million birds. Farming methods by share: Enriched cages: 38.0%, Barn (indoor floor systems): 39.5%, Free-range: 15.8%, Organic: 6.7%. Top producing countries (by volume in 2024): France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands together accounted for roughly 75% of EU egg production (total: 6.66 million tonnes including consumption and hatching eggs). Egg Prices in the European Union: As of early 2025, the average price of Class A eggs at EU packing stations was €254.39 per 100 kg. This represents a 30.4% increase compared to the 2020–2024 average.

Vaxxinova announced the acquisition of Deltamune (Pty) Ltd (South Africa) from Phatisa. Deltamune is a leading animal health company in South Africa, specializing in solutions for African livestock. The company possesses in-house research, development, and production capabilities for both licensed and autogenous vaccines, serving markets across Sub-Saharan Africa.

A recent press release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) highlights a significant rise in egg imports due to the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Since January 2025, the U.S. has imported over 26 million shell eggs, more than ten times the amount imported during the same period in 2024. In comparison, from January to June 2024, the U.S. imported approximately 2.36 million shell eggs and just over 9.2 million processed egg products.

The Avishield® portfolio, comprising eight products currently manufactured and marketed by Dechra in 29 countries, will transfer to Vaxxinova. The transaction also includes Dechra’s poultry vaccine R&D team of 24 staff based in Zagreb, Croatia, along with its associated product pipeline. Financial terms were not disclosed. This acquisition strengthens Vaxxinova’s position in the poultry vaccine market. To ensure a smooth transition, Dechra will continue manufacturing and distributing Avishield products on behalf of Vaxxinova for two years, during which technical transfer to Vaxxinova’s facility in Italy will occur. Additionally, Dechra has agreed to lease its Zagreb R&D site to Vaxxinova for three years.

A European poultry promotion campaign has been launched in South Korea and the Philippines. The initiative, titled "European Poultry – From Our Farms to Your Table," is co-financed by the European Union and aims to introduce consumers in both countries to poultry products that comply with stringent EU regulations. The three-year campaign seeks to highlight the distinguishing characteristics of European poultry compared to global production. The primary advantages include superior quality, high safety standards, and a sustainable production process—all aligned with rigorous European Union requirements. These elements significantly influence the overall quality and flavor of poultry-based meals.

According to Reuters, Thailand’s poultry sector is poised for growth this year, as the avian influenza outbreak in Brazil - the world’s leading poultry exporter - creates new market opportunities. Additionally, lower feed costs are improving profit margins for Thailand, the world’s third-largest exporter of chicken meat.

The British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) is advocating for increased support of British eggs, particularly in food products manufactured within the UK. A new manifesto, presented in an eight-page booklet titled "Eggcellence," calls for food businesses to cease the use of imported eggs in British-made foods.

The Swiss population’s demand for eggs is rising sharply. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, per capita consumption increased by nine eggs to 198 eggs per year - an increase of nearly 5 percent. Although domestic production rose by 2.8 percent during this period, part of the additional demand must be met through imports.

A review titled "Split feeding for laying hens: a step beyond precision nutrition", published in Poultry Science, discusses the innovative feeding strategy known as split feeding, designed to optimize the nutritional management of laying hens. Traditional feeding practices often result in nutrient imbalances due to the hens’ cyclic reproductive physiology, which leads to fluctuating dietary requirements throughout the day. Split feeding addresses this challenge by providing tailored diets at different times - high in protein and energy in the morning, and rich in calcium during the afternoon and evening - thereby enhancing eggshell quality and overall laying performance.

The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has issued advisories against consuming eggs from backyard chickens due to the discovery of high concentrations of PFAS in eggs collected across the Netherlands. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) levels in eggs from backyard chickens in the Netherlands are generally higher than in commercial eggs due to several environmental and management factors associated with small-scale, non-commercial poultry keeping. Backyard chickens often have unrestricted access to outdoor environments where they forage for food. This behavior increases their exposure to PFAS-contaminated soil, insects, and particularly earthworms, which have been identified as significant accumulators of PFAS. Consuming eggs with high PFAS levels can contribute to the accumulation of these substances in the human body, potentially leading to adverse health effects over time.

China's General Administration of Customs (GAC) has decided to suspend poultry meat exports from certain U.S. companies, including Mountaire Farms of Delaware, Inc. and Coastal Processing, LLC, to China. The decision follows the detection of Salmonella in imported U.S. poultry meat and bone meal by Chinese customs authorities.

Cal-Maine, the leading egg producer in the United States by both revenue and flock size, reported a threefold increase in profits during the first quarter of the year, according to its latest financial statement. The company recorded $1.4 billion in egg sales and $508 million in net income—more than triple the $146 million earned during the corresponding period in 2024. This substantial growth in net sales was primarily attributed to a rise in the average selling price of shell eggs, driven by a constrained industry-wide supply resulting from avian influenza outbreaks during a period of heightened seasonal demand for eggs and egg-based products.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced changes to the regulations governing the labelling of free-range poultry meat during avian influenza outbreaks. Under current legislation, poultry must be reclassified as "barn-reared" if housing measures extend beyond 12 weeks. However, forthcoming amendments to England’s Poultry Meat Marketing Standards Regulation will remove this time restriction, thereby permitting products to retain their free-range designation for the full duration of any mandatory housing period.

The Egg Producers Central Union of Turkey has announced a preliminary agreement to export approximately 15,000 tons of eggs to the U.S. by June. U.S. egg imports rose by 38 percent in December compared to the previous month due to a shortage of table eggs caused by bird flu outbreaks across the country.

According to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association(ABPA), Brazilian chicken meat exports (including all products, both fresh and processed) reached 443 thousand tons in January. This figure represents a 9.4% increase compared to the same period last year, when exports totaled 404.9 thousand tons. This is the largest volume recorded for January in the historical series. Revenue generated from these exports amounted to US$ 826.4 million, reflecting a 20.9% increase from the previous year's total of US$ 683.6 million.

A recent study investigates the association between egg consumption and mortality among older adults residing in the community in Australia. -The research involves a substantial cohort of over 8,000 participants aged 70 years and older. -The study examines all-cause mortality as well as specific mortality associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer, utilizing self-reported egg intake data.

According to an article published in Communications Engineering, the best way to cook an egg is through a novel technique called "periodic cooking." This method allows for the simultaneous cooking of the albumen and yolk at their optimal temperatures -approximately 85°C for the albumen and 65°C for the yolk—without requiring them to be separated. The technique involves alternately placing the shell-on egg in hot water (100°C) and cold water (30°C) for short intervals, repeating this cycle several times until both the yolk and albumen are perfectly cooked. Compared to traditional methods like hard-boiling or sous vide, this approach not only enhances the texture and nutritional content of cooked eggs but also expands their culinary applications.

In 2024, Ukraine exported 446,600 tons of poultry meat, marking a 6.3% increase compared to 2023 (419,900 tons). In monetary terms, exports rose by 21%, driven by higher prices in foreign markets and an increased average selling price due to changes in the product range.

Brazilian meatpacker JBS has announced its agreement to acquire a stake in Mantiqueira Alimentos, marking the company's entry into the egg sector, with the transaction valuing Mantiqueira at 1.9 billion reais ($321 million). In a securities filing, JBS stated that it had agreed to purchase shares representing 48.5% of the total capital stock and 50% of the voting shares of Mantiqueira, allowing it to share control of the company with its founder, Leandro Pinto. Mantiqueira Alimentos Brasil is one of Latin America’s largest and most respected egg producers. Renowned for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and animal welfare, the company offers a diverse range of egg products, including cage-free, free-range, and organic options.

The new law, effective December 31, 2024, mandates that all shell eggs sold within the state must originate from hens raised in cage-free environments. Under this legislation, any business or farm engaged in the sale of eggs in Michigan is required to ensure compliance with these cage-free standards and obtain written verification from suppliers confirming that the eggs are sourced from cage-free systems.

According to a report by The Business Research Company, the global meat and poultry processing equipment market has demonstrated strong growth in recent times and is expected to maintain this trend. The market size is projected to increase from $12.73 billion in 2024 to $13.89 billion in 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. This growth can be attributed to factors such as rising industrialization, urbanization, food safety regulations, sustainability initiatives, and efficiency improvements. Future forecasts indicate that the market will reach $19.8 billion by 2029, with an anticipated CAGR of 9.3%.

The Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems Rule modifies the payment structure for contract broiler growers by processors. Historically, processors have predominantly compensated broiler growers based on their performance rankings relative to other growers. The new regulation aims to standardize payments by establishing a base pay, thereby reducing variability.

2025 is projected to be a year of robust growth for the global poultry industry, according to RaboResearch’s latest animal protein report. The global poultry industry is anticipated to maintain its strong growth momentum in 2024, with an additional 2.5% to 3% predicted market growth in 2025. This sustained growth is driven by the affordability of poultry during periods of constrained spending power, particularly when other protein sources are more expensive. Changing consumer preferences, with an increased inclination towards poultry, also support this growth.