Accredited official statistics

United Kingdom egg statistics: Quarter 4 2021

Updated 28 April 2022

This release shows quarterly information on the numbers of eggs packed in UK packing stations. This covers the vast majority of total eggs produced. It shows usage and farm-gate egg prices and includes monthly information on the trade in eggs and egg products.

1. Key messages

  • 7.7 million cases of eggs were packed in UK egg packing stations during the fourth quarter of 2021. This represents 3.2% decrease on the fourth quarter in 2020 and a 1.5% decrease on quarter three 2021.
  • The average UK farm-gate egg price through the fourth quarter of 2021 was 87.7 pence per dozen, this represents a 7.4% increase on quarter four of 2020 and a 2.7% decrease on quarter three 2021.
  • The production of egg products during the fourth quarter of 2021 totalled 18.7 thousand tonnes, a 7.1% decrease on the previous quarter and a 1.6% increase on the fourth quarter 2020.

2. UK egg packing volumes, methods of production, UK country breakdowns and price statistics

The tables in this section show quarterly information on the volumes of eggs passed through the UK egg packing stations. These eggs generally account for nearly 90% of total egg production. Packing station figures include throughput of both graded and ungraded eggs.

  • The number of eggs which passed through the packing stations in Q4 2021 decreased 3.2% on the same quarter in 2020.
  • Egg prices decreased to 87.7p per dozen, a 2.7% fall on Q3 2021 price; 7.4% higher than Q4 2020.

Figure 1: The number of eggs packed in UK packing stations compared to the UK farm-gate egg price: 2001-2020

The number of eggs packed in UK packing stations compared to the UK farm-gate egg price: 2001-2022

Table 1: UK Packing Station egg throughput by country (Thousand cases)

Period E&W Scot NI UK % change on previous year
2018 Q1 5,524 965 1,165 7,654 3.8%
Q2 5,488 1,043 1,140 7,671 2.3%
Q3 5,542 973 1,202 7,718 2.1%
Q4 5,605 1,047 1,248 7,900 5.0%
All 2018 22,159 4,028 4,755 30,943 3.3%
2019 Q1 5,688 990 1,208 7,886 3.0%
Q2 5,788 960 1,177 7,926 3.3%
Q3 5,735 998 1,265 7,998 3.6%
Q4 5,612 1,005 1,206 7,824 -1.0%
All 2019 22,823 3,954 4,856 31,633 2.2%
2020 Q1 5,615 976 1,217 7,808 -1.0%
Q2 5,439 1,086 1,174 7,698 -2.9%
Q3 5,340 1,093 1,302 7,734 -3.3%
Q4 5,435 1,164 1,405 8,004 2.3%
All 2020 21,829 4,318 5,097 31,245 -1.2%
2021 Q1 5,582 982 1,331 7,896 -1.4%
Q2 5,535 995 1,406 7,936 3.1%
Q3 5,629 958 1,277 7,864 1.7%
Q4 5,216 1,024 1,508 7,748 -3.2%
All 2021 21,962 3,959 5,522 31,443 0.6%

Table 2: UK Packing Station egg throughput by egg production type (Thousand cases)

Period Enriched cage Barn Free Range Organic Total
2018 Q1 3,436 106 3,918 195 7,654
Q2 3,396 94 4,021 160 7,671
Q3 3,447 100 3,981 190 7,718
Q4 3,438 141 4,094 227 7,900
All 2018 13,718 441 16,013 771 30,943
2019 Q1 3,404 136 4,108 238 7,886
Q2 3,299 151 4,219 257 7,926
Q3 3,384 156 4,205 253 7,998
Q4 3,306 157 4,114 247 7,824
All 2019 13,393 601 16,645 994 31,633
2020 Q1 3,326 197 4,032 254 7,808
Q2 3,197 229 3,996 277 7,698
Q3 2,993 174 4,282 285 7,734
Q4 3,111 171 4,448 274 8,004
All 2020 12,627 771 16,757 1,090 31,245
2021 Q1 2,986 114 4,504 292 7,896
Q2 2,883 130 4,616 306 7,936
Q3 2,431 132 5,032 269 7,864
Q4 2,564 174 4,706 303 7,748
All 2021 10,865 550 18,858 1,170 31,443

Eggs produced from hens in enriched colony systems accounted for 33% of the total throughput in Q3 2021. Free range eggs accounted for 62% of Q3 2021 throughput.

Figure 2: UK egg throughput by production method

Intake and Production of Egg Products by UK Egg Processors

Table 3: Average UK farm-gate egg price (Pence per dozen)

Period Enriched cage Barn Free Range Organic All Eggs % change on previous year
2018 Q1 54 c 83 c 71 0.6%
Q2 52 c 81 c 70 -0.6%
Q3 51 c 82 c 69 0.0%
Q4 52 c 81 c 70 0.0%
All 2018 52 c 82 c 70 0.0%
2019 Q1 52 c 79 c 69 -2.8%
Q2 53 c 80 c 71 2.0%
Q3 53 c 80 c 71 1.8%
Q4 56 c 81 c 73 4.1%
All 2019 54 c 80 c 71 1.2%
2020 Q1 56 c 87 c 76 9.3%
Q2 57 c 90 c 79 11%
Q3 59 c 92 c 81 15%
Q4 59 c 92 c 82 12%
All 2020 58 c 90 c 79 12%
2021 Q1 63 c 98 c 87 15%
Q2 64 c 99 c 89 13%
Q3 64 c 99 c 90 11%
Q4 63 c 96 c 88 7.4%
All 2021 64 c 98 c 88 11%

‘c’ confidential

3. UK egg processing statistics

The number of eggs bought by UK egg processors in Q3 2021 totalled 1113 thousand cases (equating to 24.4 thousand tonnes), an increase of 22% on the same period in 2020, this a return to pre-2020 levels. Liquid egg accounted for 72% of the total production in Q3 2021. Total production was up 19% in Q3 2021 compared to the same quarter last year.

Table 4: Number of eggs bought by UK Egg Processors

Period Thousand cases Tonnes % change year on year
2018 Q1 1,120 24,640 1.2%
Q2 1,174 25,833 11%
Q3 1,194 26,264 9.9%
Q4 1,160 25,512 5.2%
All 2018 4,648 102,249 6.7%
2019 Q1 1,007 22,156 -10%
Q2 1,048 23,059 -11%
Q3 1,064 23,398 -11%
Q4 1,103 24,276 -4.8%
All 2019 4,222 92,889 -9.2%
2020 Q1 1,062 23,356 5.4%
Q2 789 17,356 -25%
Q3 915 20,140 -14%
Q4 876 19,273 -21%
All 2020 3,642 80,125 -14%
2021 Q1 833 18,337 -21%
Q2 1,064 23,416 35%
Q3 1,056 23,225 15%
Q4 1,014 22,312 16%
All 2021 3,968 87,290 8.9%

Table 5: Production of egg products by UK Egg Processors

Period Liquid Egg Hard Boiled & Other Products (a) Total % change year on year
2018 Q1 15,816 7,279 23,096 1.1%
Q2 15,201 9,300 24,501 11%
Q3 15,146 9,579 24,725 7.5%
Q4 15,480 8,400 23,880 3.6%
All 2018 61,643 34,559 96,202 5.8%
2019 Q1 14,241 6,894 21,135 -8.5%
Q2 13,092 9,294 22,386 -8.6%
Q3 14,135 9,920 24,055 -2.7%
Q4 15,534 7,950 23,485 -1.7%
All 2019 57,002 34,058 91,060 -5.3%
2020 Q1 14,902 7,168 22,070 4.4%
Q2 11,294 5,709 17,003 -24%
Q3 12,277 5,824 18,101 -25%
Q4 12,859 5,623 18,482 -21%
All 2020 51,332 24,325 75,657 -17%
2021 Q1 12,349 5,774 18,123 -18%
Q2 15,529 5,810 21,339 25%
Q3 14,102 6,121 20,223 12%
Q4 13,233 5,545 18,778 1.6%
All 2021 55,213 23,250 78,463 3.7%

(a) Separate data for Hard Boiled Eggs and Other Products is currently unavailable to avoid disclosure of confidential information.

Figure 3: Intake and Production of Egg Products by UK Egg Processors

Intake and Production of Egg Products by UK Egg Processors

The volume of eggs processed also includes any processing carried out for external customers who supply their own eggs. This can cause the overall volume of eggs processed to be higher than the volume of eggs purchased, as in the statistics for Q3 2019.

4. UK Egg Trade

Trade figures are supplied by HM Revenue and Customs. Trade data marked as provisional may be subject to revision.

  • The latest data for August 2021 shows imports of shell eggs at 77,000 cases, a 79% increase on the same period last year. Imports of egg products are down 10% at 223,000 cases compared to August 2020.
  • Shell egg export figures for August 2021 are 57,000 cases, up 15% compared to the same period in 2020, whilst egg product exports were 38,000 cases, up 100% compared to August 2020.
  • The data highlighted in the table below has been subject to challenge with HMRC and should therefore be treated with caution although no errors have been notified.

Table 6 UK Trade in Shell Eggs (Thousand cases) – Imports

2018 2019 2020 2021 % change 20/21 12 Month Moving Totals
January 111 73 198 77 -61% 1,092
February 106 92 70 53 -24% 1,075
March 129 74 105 73 -30% 1,044
April 170 100 141 52 -63% 954
May 160 157 187 58 -69% 893
June 111 73 99 140 41% 825
July 104 99 75 66 -12% 893
August 111 85 43 79 83% 1,112
September 118 103 78 297 282% 1,112
October 93 206 86 99 16% 1,144
November 133 66 64 82 29% 1,144
December 74 375 67      
Total 1,419 1,503 1,214      

All trade data are provisional

Table 7 UK Trade in Shell Eggs (Thousand cases) – Exports

2018 2019 2020 2021 % change 20/21 12 Month Moving Totals
January 17 32 72 24 -67% 558
February 450 54 32 40 24% 566
March 246 25 42 40 -3.1% 565
April 17 53 73 52 -28% 544
May 28 27 63 70 11% 551
June 67 43 47 103 117% 583
July 25 45 51 75 46% 630
August 65 110 49 72 47% 653
September 29 59 48 66 36% 671
October 26 106 51 62 22% 682
November 58 31 37 59 60% 704
December 27 1,885 41      
Total 1,054 2,471 607      

Values marked with an asterisk has been subject to challenge with HMRC and should therefore be treated with caution.

Table 8 UK Trade in Egg Products (a) (Thousand cases) – Imports

2018 2019 2020 2021 % change 20/21 12 Month Moving Totals
January 296 325 311 173 -44% 3,612
February 330 339 459 173 -62% 3,327
March 358 514 267 263 -1.7% 3,323
April 297 246 204 204 -0.1% 3,322
May 367 282 222 213 -4.1% 3,313
June 323 283 285 253 -11% 3,282
July 325 263 269 233 -13% 3,246
August 307 249 248 238 -3.9% 3,236
September 289 252 302 257 -15% 3,191
October 339 362 360 257 -29% 3,087
November 345 223 429 222 -48% 2,880
December 273 232 393      
Total 3,850 3,570 3,750      

(a) Figures are based on SITCs: 025.21, 025.22 and 025.30, converted to shell egg equivalent.

All trade data are provisional

Table 9 UK Trade in Egg Products (a) (Thousand cases) – Exports

2018 2019 2020 2021 % change 20/21 12 Month Moving Totals
January 8 14 40 24 -40% 261
February 8 12 24 32 34% 270
March 9 11 25 42 68% 286
April 7 13 22 25 14% 289
May 9 14 26 40 55% 304
June 9 12 30 41 36% 314
July 9 19 18 42 141% 339
August 12 13 19 38 100% 358
September 10 9 19 39 106% 378
October 14 22 16 58 262% 420
November 12 21 18 21 17% 423
December 11 19 21      
Total 117 180 277      

(a) Figures are based on SITCs: 025.21, 025.22 and 025.30, converted to shell egg equivalent.

All trade data are provisional

5. About these statistics

5.1 Methodology

Egg Packing Statistics: The number of commercial laying hens is estimated based on the Defra Hatchery Survey layer chick placings. Total egg throughput is modelled using the number of commercial laying hens, average egg yields, average mortality rates and the proportion of UK eggs that go through packing stations. To estimate further breakdowns from this total output, Defra runs a quarterly survey of registered UK egg packing stations. It collects data on egg production methods (i.e. free range, enriched cages etc.), country of packing and prices. This “Egg Packers survey” is a voluntary survey of 27 packing stations across the UK, which accounts for around 75% of eggs packed in the UK. The response rate is typically 100 per cent.

The prices obtained on the survey are weighted according to the volume of eggs packed by each packing station to obtained average prices for the UK. From 2012, prices include any bonus payments paid to producers.

Egg processing statistics: Defra runs a quarterly survey of all registered egg processors. It is a voluntary survey of 11 respondents that collects information on the number of eggs bought by egg processors and the quantity of egg products produced. The response rate is typically 100 per cent.

In tables that show numbers of eggs the units used are ‘thousand cases’. There are 360 eggs in one case.

Trade statistics: These figures come from HM Revenue and Customs, but are validated and adjusted if necessary prior to publication. The Standard Industrial Trade Classification codes used to produce each table are given in the footnotes below the tables.

The data are subject to a variety of validation checks which identify inconsistencies in the data. All data are cleaned prior to publication. The percentage changes shown are calculated using unrounded figures. Thus any percentage changes calculated using the published (rounded) figures may not equate exactly with the changes shown.

The UK 12 month moving totals represent the sum of the 12 months up to and including the date indicated. They can be seen as a trend measure that is not affected by seasonality.

Contact details are available on the front page of this notice, for you to send feedback or ask questions about the information provided.

5.2 Revisions Policy

Figures in this notice are provisional and subject to revision. We will provide information about any revisions we make to previously published information in this statistics notice, and the associated datasets. Revisions could occur for various reasons, including:

  • if we have not received survey data from respondents we make an estimate based on their previous returns. These estimates will be replaced with actual survey data when it is received.
  • survey respondents occasionally supply amended figures for previous periods.

5.3 Data users

Representatives of the egg and poultry industry are also major users of the data. The data on egg production volumes and egg type are key sector indicators for the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) as they reflect the size of the national laying flock. The British Free Range Egg Producers Association also makes heavy use of our data as it indicates the size of the free range sector. We work closely with these users and consult widely when considering any changes to our surveys or associated datasets.

The Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB – cereals and oilseeds), rely on egg production data as a good indicator of the commercial layer flock and associated feed demand and hence grain usage by the sector.

Our statistics are also often heavily referenced in industry publications such as “Poultry World” and “The Ranger”, the official magazine of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association.

5.4 Future publications

This quarterly release will be next updated at 09:30 on 28th April 2022. Full time series are available for download at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/egg-statistics.

6. National Statistics status

National Statistics are produced to high professional standards. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.

The continued designation of these statistics as National Statistics was confirmed in 2014 following a compliance check by the UK Statistics Authority (now the Office for Statistics Regulation) against the Code of Practice for Statistics.

Since the latest review by the Office for Statistics Regulation, we have continued to comply with the Code of Practice for Statistics and have enhanced data quality by reviewing methodologies and data sources.

For general enquiries about National Statistics, contact the National Statistics Public Enquiry Service: Tel: 0845 601 3034 Email: info@statistics.gov.uk.

You can find National Statistics on the internet at www.statistics.gov.uk/

Contact details

Livestock statistics team

Email: livestock.statistics@defra.gov.uk

Public enquiries: +44 (0) 2080 266306