The poultry industry is one of the pillars of livestock farming in Greece with a large proportion of animal production and fully integrated. Products from family farms constitute a significant part of the total consumption of poultry products in this country.

The expansion of the poultry industry began more than 50 years ago and continues to grow, but with lower rates showing a tendency to stabilize with slight variations.

The poultry industry is mainly located in the regions of Epirus (Ioannina and Arta), Evia – Viotia – Attica and Macedonia. According to statistics (MRDF) recorded at the end of 2009, 66.2% of all breeder farms and 45% of broiler farms were located in Ioannina County, while 50% of layer farms were located in Attica County. The total number of breeder, layer and broiler farms in Greece is 89, 355 and 1042 respectively.

In the last decade, egg production has remained stable (eggs for human production and eggs for hatching), while layers showed a decrease of 30%.

Safety and hygiene regulations on Greek farms

Very strict safety and hygiene regulations have been imposed on Greek farms and slaughterhouses in Greece in recent years, establishing microbiological criteria aimed at making products safer for consumers. Important legislative initiatives have been carried out in production, biosafety, self-control of Salmonella, transport of live animals (Regulation 1/2005) and welfare (Directive 43/2007 in force since 06.30.2010) that establishes standards on maximum density of population, feeders and drinkers, ventilation and heating, light, litter, noise, record keeping, training of poultry farmers and surgical interventions.

Similar legislative measures exist to control the main diseases (avian influenza, Newcastle disease) that may have effects to the poultry industry. New product safety risks have also emerged, such as Campylobacter with increasing outbreaks in humans and increasing antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics, which are hotly debated topics in the EU for future legislative action.

In 2022, the approximate price range for eggs in Greece is between US$1.95 and US$2.65 per kilogram. The price in euros is approximately EUR 1.61 per kg. The average price of a ton is US$ 1,951.53 in Thessaloniki and Athens.

The total production of eggs and egg products in 2020, in Greece, has been 80,900 tons.

Challenges in the egg sector in the European Union

Regulation (EU) No. 1308/2013: common organization of markets for agricultural products, includes the legislative regulations for the production and marketing of eggs in the European Union, to which all member countries are assumed.

On May 19, 2022, in Madrid, the General Assembly of EUWEP (European Union of Wholesale in Eggs and Egg-Products) took place. The main issues affecting the egg sector were discussed at the meeting, such as the announced disappearance of cages, the review of marketing standards or the impact of avian flu, which place the egg sector facing great challenges.

At present, the European Union is reviewing the egg marketing regulations and will assess whether the dates of sale and preferential consumption of the egg (21 and 28 days, respectively) and the legally established times (16 weeks) are maintained in order to be able to sell as eggs “from free-range chickens” those produced after the compulsory confinement of the birds for health reasons (as protection against avian influenza, for example).

The impact of avian influenza in many countries has forced to restrict the departure of birds abroad in 2020 and 2021, and to sell ” ground chicken eggs” from the 16 weeks of confinement, losing the added value of main production, something that is economically unaffordable for many producers.

The regulation of the European Commission on ecological production also affects the egg market. If drugs are used in ecological birds, it is mandatory to respect a minimum waiting time of 48 hours (even if the drug is registered with a withdrawal period of 0 days), which in practice means withdrawing them from the market, which increases costs and reduces production.

Strategies and forecast for the egg industry in 2022

Another aspect that worries the egg marketing sector is the “From farm to table” strategy, announced by the Commission for the upcoming years, which is based on improving the sustainability of agri-food production in the EU.

This strategy provides an increase in ecological production, up to 25% of the agricultural area, and a reduction in the use of antibiotics and fertilizers, as well as the review of animal welfare standards, among other objectives. At this point, the European Commission announced an upcoming rule to ban cages in livestock production throughout the EU.

Despite the challenges experienced by the egg industry in 2021 in the international market, highlighting disruptive factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, rising food prices and avian influenza, analysts expect a steady recovery in 2022.