The UK packing station throughput for the first quarter was 2.4 per cent up on the last quarter of 2007, with 6.079 million cases, according to the latest quarterly Egg Statistics from Defra.

The rise was most significant in England and Wales, while Northern Ireland showed a slight drop in numbers.

There has been a significant rise in the numbers of cases of free range and organic eggs packed, with free range rising from 1.761 million cases to 1.92 million and organic rising from 337,000 cases to 366,000.

The rise in free range and organic eggs packed was at the detriment of those from laying cages, which fell by 30,000 cases, from 3.61 million to 3.58 million.

The number of eggs going to processing continued to decline quarter on quarter, although compared to the first quarter of 2007, the trade has shown a slight increase.

Imports of shell eggs rose slightly in January and then took a dramatic 16.3 per cent increase in February this year.

Exports have risen sharply this year with a 44.1 per cent increase in January and a 26.2 per cent increase in February.

Imports of egg product have also risen this year with a 37.6 per cent increase in January and 47.2 per cent increase in February.

While exports of egg products dipped in January by 32.1 per cent, they picked up in February with a 27.6 per cent rise.

UK Imports and Exports of Shell Eggs

Further Reading

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You can view the full Egg Statistics report by clicking here.