World’s Top 10 Egg-Producing Countries — Major Global Egg Producers
Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 World’s Top 10 Egg-Producing Countries
- 3 Major Global Egg Producers — An Overview
- 4 1. China (29.7475 million tons)
- 5 2. India (6.71 million tons)
- 6 3. United States (6.6437 million tons)
- 7 4. Indonesia (5.1559 million tons)
- 8 5. Russia (4.4578 million tons)
- 9 6. Brazil (3.3171 million tons)
- 10 7. Mexico (3.0469 million tons)
- 11 8. Japan (2.5742 million tons)
- 12 9. Ukraine (1.393 million tons)
- 13 10. Turkey (1.2061 million tons)
Introduction
Eggs are highly nutritious products and serve as a staple food in many countries, including China. Due to the high consumption of eggs and the challenges associated with cross-border transportation, nearly every country in the world engages in large-scale layer farming to meet domestic demand, with very few nations producing eggs primarily for export.The world’s top ten egg-producing countries, in order, are: China, India, the United States, Indonesia, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Ukraine, and Turkey. Below, we delve into the detailed profiles of these countries.
World’s Top 10 Egg-Producing Countries
- China
- India
- United States
- Indonesia
- Russia
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Japan
- Ukraine
- Turkey
Major Global Egg Producers — An Overview
1. China (29.7475 million tons)
According to FAO statistics, China’s annual egg production is approximately 29.7475 million tons. As the world’s largest egg producer, China has a large-scale layer farming industry. However, its production has long been characterized by small and medium-sized farms with fewer than 10,000 birds, forming an industrial structure of “small-scale farming, large overall volume.” With continuous economic development and rising household incomes, Chinese consumers’ demand for poultry products such as eggs has been increasing. Despite having the highest egg production globally, cross-border trade of eggs remains limited due to frequent outbreaks of avian influenza.
2. India (6.71 million tons)
According to FAO statistics, India’s annual egg production is approximately 6.71 million tons. As the world’s third-largest egg producer, India benefits from low production costs and steadily rising consumption. Major egg-producing regions include Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Punjab, located in the western and southern parts of the country. This often requires long-distance transportation to deliver eggs to consumers. India has about 10,000 layer farms with a total of 300 million hens. Although egg consumption is increasing, the per capita consumption is around 76 eggs, which is more than 100 eggs lower than the global average.
3. United States (6.6437 million tons)
According to FAO statistics, the U.S. annual egg production is approximately 6.6437 million tons. The U.S. holds a leading position in the global meat market and the international poultry industry, and it is also the world’s second-largest egg producer. In 2022, Iowa, Indiana, and Ohio were the top three egg-producing states, each producing over 10 billion eggs. Other major production areas include Pennsylvania, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, and Arkansas. Recent outbreaks of avian influenza have led to significant increases in egg prices.
4. Indonesia (5.1559 million tons)
According to FAO statistics, Indonesia’s annual egg production is approximately 5.1559 million tons. As one of the largest egg producers in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has seen stable and growing production. Key egg-producing regions include Jawa Timur (East Java), Sumatera Utara (North Sumatra), Jawa Tengah (Central Java), Jawa Barat (West Java), and West Sumatera. Although Indonesia is a major egg producer, its exports are relatively limited due to high domestic demand, with most eggs consumed locally.
5. Russia (4.4578 million tons)
According to FAO statistics, Russia’s annual egg production is approximately 4.4578 million tons. The Volga Federal District and the Central Federal District are the primary production areas, accounting for about 46% of the country’s total output. The Siberian Federal District follows with a 15% share. Notably, agricultural organizations dominate egg production in Russia, contributing 79% of the total output in 2016, while individual households and small businesses accounted for only 1%. Popular layer breeds in Russia include Hisex Brown and Dekalb White, which together produce about three-quarters of the country’s eggs.
6. Brazil (3.3171 million tons)
According to FAO statistics, Brazil’s annual egg production is approximately 3.3171 million tons, totaling 52.06 billion eggs. Major production areas include São Paulo, Espírito Santo, Rio Grande do Sul, Goiás, and Santa Catarina, with output increasing year by year. Although Brazil is a significant egg producer, exports account for less than 1% of total production. However, Brazilian eggs reach consumers in 22 countries across various continents, including Argentina, Uruguay, China, the UAE, and Venezuela.
7. Mexico (3.0469 million tons)
According to FAO statistics, Mexico’s annual egg production is approximately 3.0469 million tons. As one of the largest egg producers in Latin America, Mexico has seen stable and growing output. Key production regions include Jalisco, Puebla, Sonora, La Laguna (Coahuila and Durango), Yucatán, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, and Guanajuato. While Mexico’s egg industry thrives domestically, its export potential remains limited, with most eggs consumed locally.
8. Japan (2.5742 million tons)
According to FAO statistics, Japan’s annual egg production is approximately 2.5742 million tons. Although Japan heavily relies on imports for most agricultural products, eggs are one of the few commodities with a 96% self-sufficiency rate. The layer farming industry is the most intensively developed sector in Japanese livestock farming, with some operators expanding their scale. However, this expansion has led to oversupply issues, making it challenging for small and medium-sized farms to compete. Approximately 20% of large-scale operators rear nearly 80% of the country’s layer hens.
9. Ukraine (1.393 million tons)
According to FAO statistics, Ukraine’s annual egg production is approximately 1.393 million tons. As an important agricultural country in Europe, Ukraine has a large layer population, with about 55 layer farms and 13 breeding farms housing around 80 million hens. Over 95% of layer hens in Ukraine are raised in enriched cage systems. The country produces both white-shelled (60%) and brown-shelled (40%) eggs, with most sold as fresh eggs and the remainder used for processing. Unlike other major producers focused on domestic markets, Ukraine exports fresh eggs to 53 countries and regions, accounting for over half of the EU’s egg imports.
10. Turkey (1.2061 million tons)
According to FAO statistics, Turkey’s annual egg production is approximately 1.2061 million tons. As a significant global egg producer, Turkey’s primary production areas are located in the central and western regions, including cities like İzmir, Bursa, and Afyon, where the climate is favorable for layer farming. Although most eggs are consumed domestically due to high local demand, Turkey has recently begun exporting small quantities to neighboring countries, primarily in Europe. The country’s egg production continues to grow steadily to meet increasing demand.