Brazil’s egg exports are set to grow by 62% in 2024 due to U.S. price inflation caused by avian flu, although they will still represent less than 1% of the domestic market. Other markets, including the UAE and Angola, are showing increased demand, while domestic consumption is also predicted to rise 1.1% this year.
In response to a crisis in the U.S. egg market caused by avian flu, Brazil’s egg exports are projected to increase by 62% in 2024, reaching 30,000 tonnes. The Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA) notes that this surge will still constitute less than 1% of Brazil’s total egg production, which raised concerns amid rising domestic prices.
Despite last year’s export of 18,400 tonnes representing 0.86% of national production, Ricardo Santin, ABPA’s president, remarked, “The increase [in exports in 2025] is quite significant and could be even higher, but it is still based on a very low volume, always below 1% of national production.”
Brazilian eggs are approved for export to the U.S. for both pet and human consumption when processed. However, they cannot be sold directly on supermarket shelves, as they must be sent to processing companies that convert them into liquid or powdered forms for human use, as Mr. Santin elaborated.
The U.S. has initiated an investigation into potential price manipulation among major egg suppliers amid rising prices. Reports indicate that the Department of Justice is examining whether anti-competitive practices contributed to increased costs and supply shortages, as stated by leading news outlets.
Brazil is also expecting a growing demand from other markets, such as the United Arab Emirates and Angola. Furthermore, egg production in Brazil is on track to rise by 2.4% in 2025, estimated at 59 billion units, with January production totaling 5.9 billion eggs, of which exports only accounted for 0.9% of total output.
Despite escalating egg prices domestically, ABPA forecasts a rise in per capita consumption, projecting that each Brazilian will consume an average of 272 eggs in 2025, marking a 1.1% increase compared to 2024.
In summary, Brazil’s egg export industry is experiencing significant growth amidst rising prices in the U.S. market due to avian flu. While exports are expected to rise substantially, they remain a minor fraction of Brazil’s production. Efforts to increase export volume further emphasize the potential for broader market expansion, alongside rising domestic consumption as projected.
Original Source: valorinternational.globo.com
