French supermarkets are facing challenges with egg supply, leading to nearly empty shelves. While not a full shortage, consumer habits are shifting towards increased egg consumption, rising to an average of 224 eggs per person in 2023. Factors include a transition to free-range farming, which decreases production, and the indirect influence of avian flu outbreaks in the U.S. Despite a small price increase, eggs remain a cost-effective protein source, with France being the top egg producer in Europe.
Current Egg Supply Challenges in France
Recently, an unsettling trend has emerged in French supermarkets, where shoppers frequently encounter nearly empty shelves in the fresh egg section. While this situation hasn’t yet escalated to a full-blown shortage, it has begun to alter the purchasing habits of French consumers, who have developed a growing preference for eggs. In 2023, the average individual consumed around 224 eggs, marking an increase of 10 eggs per person compared to a decade earlier, as reported by the National Committee for the Promotion of Eggs (CNPO).
Why Are Eggs So Popular?
Industry experts attribute these distribution challenges, in part, to the rising popularity of eggs. “Amid inflation, there has been a noticeable shift from meat to egg consumption,” states Thomas Bartlett, Secretary General of the National Union of Egg Producers and Industrialists (Snipo). “Even before this trend, eggs were gaining traction among consumers due to their simplicity in cooking and well-known nutritional benefits.” Despite a modest price increase of about 3% since the start of the year, eggs remain an economical choice compared to many other food items, reinforcing their status as the most affordable animal protein available.
However, the popularity of eggs does not fully account for the distribution issues that have arisen in 2024. A structural shift in production methods is also contributing to these disruptions. To enhance product quality and promote animal welfare, many farmers are transitioning from cage to free-range farming. “This transition takes several months to complete and to re-establish the hens,” Bartlett explains. Additionally, it’s worth noting that egg production from free-range systems is approximately 30% lower than that from caged operations, further complicating supply.
Another significant factor influencing the current egg market is the indirect impact of avian flu in the United States. This outbreak has resulted in substantial egg shortages across American grocery stores, which, while not directly affecting France, may have subconsciously altered consumer behavior. “Many people witnessed the empty shelves in the U.S., which received widespread media coverage,” Bartlett observes. “This may have led to a heightened sense of urgency among French consumers to stock up.” Consequently, egg prices in the U.S. have skyrocketed by 60% over the past year due to this crisis, starkly contrasting with the situation in France.
As of 2024, France stands as the leading egg producer in Europe, closely followed by Spain. According to the Technical Institute of Poultry, Aquaculture, and Rabbit Farming (ITAVI), France accounted for 29.2% of the EU’s total egg production last year, compared to 14.5% for Spain and 14.1% for Germany.