Egg production in Australia - Data and Analysis (1993-2034)

IBISWorld estimates egg production will rise 0.2% during 2026-27, to 4.39 billion eggs. Growth has eased after a sharp rebound in 2025-26. That year, farms restocked heavily following the 2024 avian influenza outbreaks. The national flock is now largely rebuilt, so output has shifted from recovery to steady population-led demand. This explains the softer increase in 2026-27. Firm household demand and a growing population still support higher volumes. The ABS projects Australia's population to rise by 1.2% in 2026-27.Egg production is closely tied to demand. Rising health consciousness has lifted egg consumption among Australians and steady supermarket and grocery sales remain an important driver. Eggs are also among the cheapest animal proteins, which has supported demand as prices for alternatives like beef and lamb have climbed over the past five years. Australian Eggs reports that per capita consumption eased to 259 eggs in 2024-25, down from 266 the year before, as avian influenza constrained supply. Even so, consumption remains at a historically high level and underlying demand is firm.The market is also shifting towards free-range and cage-free eggs. These varieties cost more than caged eggs, but they appeal to shoppers concerned about animal welfare. Wider availability of free-range eggs has lifted per capita spending on eggs over the past decade. Coles and Woolworths had promised to remove caged eggs from their shelves by 2025, but both have since softened that timeline. Coles now targets 2030, while Woolworths has left its date open, with both citing supply disruption due to avian influenza. Animal welfare groups, including the Australian Alliance for Animals, have criticised the delay. Even so, Coles reports that 97.0% of the shell eggs it sold in its 2025 financial year were cage-free.Egg production has historically been volatile, mostly due to grain price fluctuations and diseases that can force the culling of chickens. The 2020 Victorian avian influenza outbreak was one example and the disruptions from 2024 were larger. Those 2024 outbreaks and further Victorian losses in early 2025 wiped out roughly 7.0% of national production capacity, cutting output in 2024-25 before the recovery took hold. Larger egg farms are less exposed to grain price swings, as they usually hold long-term supply contracts with grain growers and wholesalers that steady their input costs. Overall, IBISWorld estimates egg production has risen at a compound annual rate of 1.7% over the five years through 2026-27.