03/04/2025
Global Egg Production and Grading Systems
In 2023, China ranked as the leader in world egg production, producing about 612 billion eggs. Egg production and grading systems differ from country to country and have a significant impact on consumer preferences and market dynamics.
United States: Egg quality is evaluated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) based on internal and external characteristics. Egg quality is divided into three classes: AA, A and B.
European Union: Egg classification is based on production methods. There are four main categories in this classification:
Organic: Eggs obtained from free-range chickens fed with natural feed,
Free-range: Eggs obtained from chickens that have the opportunity to roam freely outside,
Barn system: Eggs of chickens that are housed in closed areas but have a certain range of movement,
Cage system: Eggs obtained from chickens raised in cages by the traditional method.
These different classification systems affect consumer preferences, pricing, and industry standards on a global scale.
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
