Eggs are nearly universally consumed as a food of choice to support dietary needs and tastes, and the egg industry has already seen shifts in the world’s egg production systems in response to the major global population and income changes taking place today.

But a critical question for the US and world egg industry is what should the sector be doing to help ensure that world egg production is able to grow to meet what may be a doubling or more in the demand for eggs? This question brings up the issue of how to address the need for more grain and oilseeds?

In addition, questions also arise as how to build on the US and world’s egg producing experience and track record of success to increase the output of eggs per laying hen and increase layers’ feed use efficiency in the three decades to come?

The questions are the central focus of this symposium, and presentations addressing this issue will be provided by a variety speakers, including: Dr Margaret Zeigler, Executive Director of Global Harvest Initiative; Dr Hongwei Xin, Egg Industry Center; Dr Joseph Glauber, USDA Chief Economist; and Dr Daniel McChesney, Director of the Office of Surveillance and Compliance, Center for Veterinary Medicine, FDA.

IPPE, the world's largest annual poultry, feed, and meat industry event, will be held 28-20 January 2014. The Meeting the World Challenge: Outlook for Doubling Global Egg Production programme agenda can be viewed at www.ippexpo.org or by clicking here.