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U.S. egg exports up nearly 30 percent

U.S. egg exports in the first quarter of 2017 are up nearly 30 percent compared to a year ago.

American Egg Board (AEB) senior director of marketing communications Ashley Richardson says they’re working with the U.S.A. Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) to grow demand overseas, and the results are encouraging.

“That means (egg exports) climbed to 59 million dozen, and that’s table eggs as well as processed egg products.  So for the first quarter, we’re actually seeing the equivalent of $54.2 million dollars of egg exports actually leaving the U.S. and making sure those around the world have the incredible, edible egg.”

She tells Brownfield Japan, Hong Kong, the Middle East, and Mexico are among the top markets for U.S. eggs.

Korea, another large customer, recently dealt with an avian influenza outbreak ahead of its lunar New Year.

“What was really beneficial was that U.S. egg farmers were able to step up and export both shell eggs and egg products to South Korea.  And as a result of filling that need, we’ve seen that market really open up.”

Richardson says U.S. egg exports have a lot of momentum, and expects demand to remain strong throughout the year.