Although egg prices are lower than in the U.S., consumers in France have experienced a 65 percent increase during 2022.  Last week, eggs were priced at $1.85 per dozen with future escalation a real possibility.  The shelf prices of eggs, milk and meat products are indexed to the price of livestock feed price by national law.  Consumers in France are purchasing more eggs in response to inflation, given their value despite declining supply.

 A spokesperson for a producer cooperative in France stated, “We are in a situation that has never been seen before.  In previous crises we used to turn to imports, but this year the situation is bad everywhere”.

In a response to the higher prices and shortage of available eggs, industrial users are turning to alternatives for baking and pasta.  When supply is restored, the EU egg industry will have to compete with other sectors to regain lost markets.