Made in Italy

Italy produces 12.5 billion eggs a year: +10% consumption at Easter

40% of production is destined for the processing industries (especially the pasta and bakery sector) and the remaining 60% ends up fresh on the consumer market

23 April 2025

3' min read

Once again this year, tradition will be respected and there will be no shortage of fresh eggs, strictly made in Italy, on Easter tables, not even to satisfy that 10% extra demand that comes with this important holiday.

'In Italy our sector is characterised by a balanced relationship between supply and demand and, therefore, we do not run the risk of running out of eggs,' began Gian Luca Bagnara, president of Assoavi, the supply chain association representing 80% of production. In our country, 12.5 billion eggs are produced, 40% of which go to processing industries (particularly in the pasta and bakery product sectors) and the remaining 60% end up fresh on the consumer market. In the last two years, demand in both these channels has increased while production has slightly decreased, although the self-supply rate remains at 98%.

It was theconversion from enriched cages to alternative systems (such as free-range), now adopted by 70% of the farms at an investment of around EUR 300 million, that led to a reduction in laying hens. Although now their numbers are gradually recovering. 'These important interventions have made our sector more modern, safer and more attentive to animal welfare,' adds Bagnara. 'When the market is going well we complain about this ultra-controlled system, but when health problems occur, as is happening in the United States, we recognise the benefits.

Avian influenza has arrived in Italy too, but with a less devastating impact than in the US, where at least 50 million laying hens are missing (and prices have spiked 237%). That is more than all those bred in Italy (42 million). In order to diversify the risk and increase volumes, some companies have opened farms outside the traditional production areas, such as Eurovo, which has invested in Marche and Umbria. But the time required to start them up (it takes two to four years to obtain the necessary authorisations) does not allow them to keep up with the growth in demand.

Meanwhile, after last year's fluctuations,egg prices have returned to 2023 levels. In Europe, they are selling at 2.4 to 2.8 euros per kg and remain more expensive than those bought from India at 0.77 euros/kg or from Brazil at 1.7 euros/kg. Thus, despite the willingness of the Italian supply chain to meet the requests coming from the US (especially for egg products), nothing has been done and the Trump administration has not granted authorisation to export from Italy.

Moreover, the fact that prices in the US have dropped from EUR 12 to EUR 5 per kg in just a few months indicates that American importers have turned to other supplier countries. Even in Italy, eggs cost less than in the past: in 2024, the price dropped by 1.8% compared to the previous year, the latest edition of the Ismea-NielsenIQ Observatory on Household Consumption notes. And so the noblest and least expensive source of protein has become even cheaper.

Today, to buy one kg (about 22 eggs) costs only 2.5 euro. That is less than you spend on two coffees at the bar. An important aspect in a context in which Italians have become more careful with their spending. It is not, however, only the convenience factor that boosts eggs. It is (and a lot) also the rediscovery of the nutritional value of these foods, once demonised and now re-evaluated for their balanced intake of proteins, fats and vitamins. But they are also celebrated in many trendy recipes, to the point that they have been chosen as the protagonists of Catering Day 2025, promoted by Fipe-Confcommercio for 17 May in restaurants and bars throughout Italy.

Versatile, good, healthy and inexpensive, eggs are, therefore, back on the table. compared to 2023, the quantities of fresh eggs bought by Italians have increased by 4.5% and expenditure has risen by 2.6%. However, they still only weigh 1.1% of the average grocery bill and, therefore, still have ample room for growth.