The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its latest update on egg production, revealing a significant year-over-year decline in output and layer numbers across the country.
Southeast AgNet’s Dale Sandlin reports:
Total Egg Production Down 6%
According to the USDA report, total U.S. egg production fell to 8.59 billion eggs last month, marking a 6% decrease compared to the same period last year. This decline reflects broader challenges facing the poultry industry, including disease outbreaks, feed costs, and supply chain disruptions.
Of the total production:
- 7.3 billion eggs were classified as table eggs, which are destined for retail and food service use.
- 1.29 billion eggs were hatching eggs, used for breeding purposes.
- Within this category, 1.18 billion were broiler-type hatching eggs, primarily used to produce chickens for meat.
Fewer Egg-Laying Hens in Operation
The USDA also reported a drop in the total number of egg-laying hens. As of June 1, there were 350 million egg layers in the United States. This represents a 6% decline from the same date in the previous year, signaling a tightening in supply that could influence egg prices in the near term.
Industry Impact
The reduced number of hens and corresponding drop in production could have ripple effects across the food industry. Egg prices have already experienced volatility in recent years due to avian influenza and shifting consumer demand. This latest data confirms ongoing pressure within the egg supply chain.