Egg production and affordability New Zealanders love eggs – we are one of the highest per capita egg-consuming countries in the world.
There are four egg farming methods used here, which provide people with a choice of products to fit their budget and personal preference while also maintaining welfare standards.
Most eggs eaten in New Zealand are currently from caged hens (colony and current cages), however the industry will be phasing these out current cages and transitioning to primarily colony systems between now and 2022. As at December 2021 the current flock is made up of 33% free-range, 14%, barn 3%, 33% colony and 20% current cages. While consumption of free-range eggs has increased in the last ten years, at the same time there has been an increase in the number of eggs consumed overall, so consumption of eggs farmed by all methods has increased too. This shows the importance of choice and affordability for people when the overall cost of living continues to rise.
The following item: Cost per gram of protein comparison March 2022, shows how egg prices from a range of farming methods compare with other protein foods on a ‘per gram of protein’ basis. All prices do not include sale items or items reduced to clear. All listed food items were based on the lowest price. Sourced March 2022 from Countdown Online Shop:
