The domestic and European egg markets have experienced significant turbulence over the past year. Last year’s bird flu epidemic decimated flocks across Europe, and it took until the end of 2025 for production to stabilize somewhat. Hungary was in a more fortunate position: the domestic laying hen population was largely spared by the virus, which is also reflected in commercial data.
In Hungary, cage egg production is already in decline and, according to experts, could fall by as much as 45 percent by the end of the year.
Based on the figures from the Central Statistical Office (KSH), Hungary almost doubled its exports of fresh eggs last year, while imports fell by 22 percent. The market structure remains import-oriented, as exports of 2,500 tons are still offset by imports of 16,000 tons.
Photo: Pexels
However, the global market has been thoroughly shaken up by the combined effects of war and epidemics. After bird flu damaged flocks in Northern Europe and the United States, a huge gap appeared in supply. This gap was largely filled by Ukraine: 63 percent of total imports to the European Union, or about 120,000 tons of eggs, came from the war-torn country.
Tamás Kertész, head of Farm Tojás Kft., which works with 850,000 hens, told Agroinform that Polish connections are the most important for supplying the Hungarian market.
I believe that Polish sources are the most important. We also have a permanent partner here from whom we can obtain fresh goods of impeccable quality during periods when demand exceeds production in Hungary,”
said the company manager, referring to the peak periods of Easter and Christmas.
In the first weeks of this year, the price-driving effects were not yet really felt in domestic stores, but by March the market had shaken itself up. According to the expert, there was a clear 8-10 percent increase in producer prices from February to March, although it is questionable whether this will be fully reflected in consumer prices during the holiday season.
Prices are influenced not only by current demand but also by technological change.
Although cage rearing still accounts for over 65 percent of livestock farming in Hungary and the region, modernization has accelerated. Thanks to tenders aimed at developing livestock farms, the combined share of deep litter, free-range and organic farming methods could reach 45 percent by the end of the year, which could be reflected in higher quality and lower production costs.
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Via Magyar Nemzet; Featured photo: Pixabay
