UK egg consumption to smash through 200 eggs a year barrier

Last year, UK consumers ate an average of 197 eggs, including in prepared foods, home cooked and eating out, and the British Egg Industry Council is confident of smashing through the 200 eggs barrier.

Popularity of eggs

It follows a sustained period of upwards sales for eggs, attributed to an increasing recognition of their health benefits among consumers and the popularity of eggs at breakfast and brunch.

Getting back to consumption heights of 30 year ago

This year is likely to be the 12th consecutive year of growth in UK egg sales, which have nearly got back to consumption levels seen 30 years ago when 209 eggs per person per year were consumed.

UK consumption lower than other EU states

Andrew Joret, BEIC chairman, said: “We are looking to a cracking Easter this year – sales are up significantly as the health benefits and new food safety advice, which says everyone can now eat runny eggs as long as they are British Lion, continues to filter through to consumers.”

UK consumption is still lower than other EU countries, such as Austria, Germany and Hungary, according to statistics provided by the International Egg Commission.

Increasing recognition of eggs’ health benefits

The BEIC is being backed this year by Olympic gymnast Max Whitlock, who is helping to increase recognition of eggs’ health credentials as part of his high-protein diet ahead of the Commonwealth Games, which begin on the Gold Coast in Australia on 4 April.