Key points

In total, 6.920 million cases of eggs [1 case=360 eggs] were packed during the third quarter of 2010, a 13 per cent rise on the same period of 2009.

Free-range and organic eggs accounted for 46 per cent of eggs packed in the UK during quarter 3 of 2010, compared with 42 per cent for the same period the previous year.

The average packer to producer price for all eggs for quarter 3 of 2010, was 66.5 pence per dozen, an 8.1 per cent decrease on the same period of 2009.

Commentary

UK packing station throughput by country shows that during the third quarter of 2010, a total of 5.111 million cases of eggs were packed in England and Wales, a rise of 11 per cent on the same period of 2009. 1.139 million cases of eggs were packed in Scotland during the third quarter of 2010, a rise of 16 per cent on the same period the previous year, and 670,000 cases of eggs were packed in Northern Ireland during the third quarter of 2010 which was a 31 per cent rise on the same period the previous year.

UK packing station throughput by type shows that during the third quarter of 2010, laying cage eggs accounted for 50 per cent, free-range eggs accounted for 42 per cent and barn and organic eggs combined accounted for 8.4 per cent of the total throughput.

The percentage split of graded eggs by size shows that during the third quarter of 2010, 4.9 per cent of throughput were very large eggs, 43 per cent were large eggs, 42 per cent were medium eggs and small eggs accounted for 4.0 per cent. Graded seconds accounted for 6.3 per cent of total throughput.

The weighted average 'packer to producer' price of all eggs (Table 2.4) during the third quarter of 2010 was 66.5 pence per dozen. This was a decrease of 8.1 per cent on the same period of 2009.

The number of eggs bought by UK processors during the third quarter of 2010 totalled 1.231 million cases. This was the same as eggs bought during the third quarter of 2009.

UK egg processors produced 24,600 tonnes of egg products during the third quarter of 2010. This was a rise of 11 per cent on production during the same period the previous year. Liquid and frozen eggs accounted for 60 per cent of the total production at 15,000 tonnes.

The latest trade data shows that during the period January to August 2010, the UK imported 3.348 million cases of shell eggs, a rise of 15 per cent on the same period last year. Exports of shell eggs for the same period totalled 371,000 cases, which was a 66 per cent rise on the same period during 2009.

UK imports of egg products for the period January to August 2010 stood at 1.715 million cases, a 14 per cent fall on the same period last year. Exports of egg products for the period January to August 2010 totalled 83,000 cases, which represents a 31 per cent fall on exports during the same period of 2009.

Further Reading

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