Egg Producers Federation New Zealand
  • Home
  • About Eggs
    • About EPF
    • About Layer Hens
    • Education Resources
    • Contact Us
    • Useful Links
    • Glossary
    • Did You Know?
  • Farming Eggs
    • Egg Farming in NZ
    • Meet our Farmers
    • Farming Types
      • The Colony Cage Environment
      • Barn
      • Free-Range
      • Backyard
    • The Code of Welfare (updated 2018)
    • Farming Standards
    • Caring for Hens
    • Starting a Commercial Farm
  • Eating Eggs
    • Affordable Nutrition
    • Buying Quality Eggs
    • Egg Labelling
    • Eating & Cooking
  • Egg News
    • Media Statements
    • Comments & Opinions
    • Video & Images
    • Publications, Reports and Statistics
  • Good Eggs
    • Farming Standards
      • RMP
    • Welfare Science
    • Biosecurity & Bird Health
    • Training & Development
  • Sign In

Home» Egg Farming in NZ

Egg Farming in NZ

Feeding a nation of egg-lovers

New Zealand has one of the most ideal egg farming environments in the world, being free from many of the pests and disease strains that other countries experience, and it leads the world in many areas of farm practice and animal welfare. Today, New Zealand has approximately 157 egg farms.

The first hens were brought here by Captain James Cook in 1773, and centuries on they are one of the most important sources of food for our country, providing vital protein and nutrients at an affordable price to a nation of egg-lovers.

Kiwis are now eating around 237 eggs per person per year (as at June 30 2021), more than double the 100 we were eating in the early 20th century when most people relied on backyard coops and small free-range operations. As the demand for eggs has grown, our farming methods have had to evolve and expand in order to meet the nation’s need for around one billion eggs per year.

Retail sales of eggs are worth upwards of $286 million and up to 85% of commercially farmed eggs are sold as ‘table eggs’, with the remainder used in the baking and catering industries. New Zealand also has a small but increasing export base to the Pacific Islands and Oceania region, PNG, Hong Kong and Singapore.

As at December 2022, the current flock is made up of  34% free range, 33% colony and 33% barn. This shows a balance of systems with all options offering benefits for consumers.

Email

Posted April 7, 2016

       

Read More

Media information – Key facts and useful background on NZ egg farming

Posted March 16, 2016

What is? Free-range egg production – Birds have access to the range all day; maximum flock density is 2,500 birds per hectare (inside area density is 1111 square cm per bird); birds have perches, nest boxes and scratching areas Barn production – Birds do not have access to range; inside density of 1428 square cms per […]

Read More

Fast facts about eggs and egg farming in New Zealand

Posted December 8, 2015

The NZ Egg Farming Information mini website offers concise, fact-rich answers to many questions about eggs and egg farming in New Zealand. Compiled by knowledgeable New Zealand farmers, it addresses the key interests and concerns of today’s consumers about eggs and how they are produced. It’s a great source of accurate and balanced information about a wide […]

Read More

Poultry worker has something to crow about

Posted November 29, 2013

Turks Ltd employee Joanne Wells is delighted after picking up the 2013 Poultry Trainee of the Year Award after only two and a half years working in the industry.  The prestigious award is given annually by the poultry industry to recognise its top-performing Primary ITO trainee. “This award demonstrates our support for a highly skilled and […]

Read More

A Balanced and Sustainable Approach to Egg Farming

Posted September 14, 2012
The Balanced Approach to Sustainable and Affordable Egg Supply

New Zealand’s modern egg industry is built on a balanced and sustainable approach to farming and food production. This means considering hen health and welfare, human health and nutrition, food safety, the environment, public attitudes and cost – all together to provide eggs New Zealanders can enjoy now and in the future. Already fortunate to […]

Read More

Latest News

  • MPI Press Release re No Further Salmonella Enteritidis Detected
  • Food Item Cost Per Gram Protein Comparison (updated December 2022)
  • Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) – Stockists
  • Introducing Trace My Egg – the egg stamping programme

    Meet Our Farmers

    • Chris Martin, Wairarapa Eggs

      Chris Martin of Wairarapa Eggs aspires to provide the perfect egg for whatever his customers need it for. The perfect...

    • Laurie Horsfall, Hawkes Bay Eggs

      At Hawkes Bay Eggs the farm is a true family business. Between Laurie, his wife, two daughters and son, all...

    • Karen Kelly, Glenpark

      Karen could be best described as Glenpark’s ‘mother hen’. As farm manager in charge of more than 20 full and...

    • Graeme Napier, Henergy

      Graeme is somewhat of a farming pioneer in New Zealand, having been inspired to introduce modern barn farming to the...

    About the Egg Producers Federation

    The Egg Producers Federation of New Zealand Inc. (EPF) represents the interests of all the commercial egg producers in this country.

    Helpful Links

    • I Love Eggs (Inc)
    • Ministry for Primary Industries
    • NZ Feed Manufacturers Association
    • Poultry Industry Association New Zealand
    • WorkSafe New Zealand

    Have a Question? Contact Us

    • +64 09 520 4300
    • +64 09 520 1553
    • [email protected]

    © 2017 Egg Producers Federation New Zealand