W13 Chicken Eggs Update: Strong Production, and Emerging Import Trends in Poland, Brazil's Export Opportunities in Central America

Strong Polish Egg Production Fuels Exports Despite Declining Domestic Consumption

Poland's egg industry is characterized by strong production capabilities and a focus on export markets within the European Union (EU). While domestic consumption has declined, export performance remains robust. Increased import activity, particularly from Ukraine, presents a developing trend within the Polish egg market. Poland holds a prominent position within the EU egg market, ranking fourth in production volume with a 14% share.

Domestic table egg production in Poland has demonstrated consistent growth, rising by 8.6% year-on-year (YoY) from 9.3 billion pieces in 2021 to 10.1 billion pieces in 2022. This trend aligns with the broader production range of 11.0 billion - 12.1 billion pieces annually observed between 2018 and 2022. Hatching eggs account for 15% of total production, with the majority dedicated to table eggs. Egg consumption in Poland has experienced a decline in recent years, dropping from over 200 pieces per capita annually in the early 2000s to 152 pieces in 2022.

Poland's egg production significantly exceeds domestic demand, positioning the country as a major EU exporter. The EU market serves as the primary export destination, accounting for 88% of volume and 85% of revenue generated through egg exports in 2023. Germany, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and France are the leading EU recipients of Polish eggs. Great Britain represents the most significant non-EU market. After a decline in 2021 due to the pandemic, Polish egg exports have rebounded, exceeding 200 thousand metric tons (mt) in both 2022 and 2023.

Despite its export focus, Poland has seen an increase in egg imports between 2021 and 2023. Imports reached 19.5 thousand mt in 2023, marking a 79% YoY rise compared to 2022. EU countries and Ukraine are the principal suppliers of imported eggs to Poland. Ukraine's share in Polish egg imports has significantly increased, with volumes tripling from 2022 to 2023.

El Salvador Opens Doors to Brazilian Poultry and Eggs

The Brazilian poultry and egg industry has secured a new export opportunity with the recent announcement by El Salvador's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. El Salvador has opened its market to imports of chicken meat and eggs produced in Brazil. This move presents a significant opportunity for Brazil to expand its reach in Central American markets. El Salvador, with a population of 6.4 million, imported over 22 thousand mt of chicken meat and 2.5 thousand mt of eggs in 2023, primarily from the United States (US) and Guatemala. The establishment of a streamlined system for authorizing Brazilian exporters is still pending.

The Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA) views this development as a recognition of Brazil's quality standards and health certifications. ABPA anticipates the possibility of establishing partnerships with El Salvador and potentially leveraging this access to gain entry into other Central American markets.