Minas Gerais egg output rises 4.9%, outpacing Brazil’s national growth
Minas Gerais produced 251.5 million dozen eggs in the first half, up 4.9% year on year, while its average laying flock grew only 1.62%. Domestic demand remains the industry’s main support, with Brazilian consumption projected to rise from 288 eggs per person in 2025 to 301 in 2026.
Productivity lifts output above the national pace
Egg production in Minas Gerais increased 4.9% year on year during the first half, reaching 251.5 million dozen, according to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics cited by Diário do Comércio. The expansion considerably exceeded the 1.62% increase in the state’s average laying flock, indicating that higher farm productivity was the principal driver.
Minas Gerais is Brazil’s second-largest egg-producing state, behind São Paulo. Nathália Rabelo, an agribusiness analyst at Sistema Faemg Senar, said the figures demonstrate productivity and efficiency gains at local farms. Such improvements are particularly important for profitability because producer egg prices have fluctuated considerably.
The state also outpaced Brazil as a whole. National production rose only 0.4% in the first half to 2.46 billion dozen, according to the report. For full-year 2026, the Brazilian Animal Protein Association expects national output to reach 64.8 billion eggs, up as much as 4.1% from 62.253 billion in 2025.
Price volatility puts the focus on margins
Data from the Avimig/Cepea price series show that Extra White eggs averaged approximately R$ 150.40 per 30-dozen box in quotations available through October 6. Extra Red eggs averaged about R$ 166.40. The white category reached R$ 201 in April before falling to R$ 144 on October 6, while the red category peaked at R$ 223 and later stood at R$ 162.
Rabelo said this volatility makes cost and margin management essential. Higher physical output alone does not guarantee improved earnings: farms must track productivity, cost per dozen and selling prices. The modest increase in flock size relative to production suggests Minas Gerais farms are extracting more output from their existing capacity, but changing market prices will determine how much of that gain reaches the bottom line.
Exports offer an additional sales channel but remain small for the state’s industry. About 1.8% of Minas Gerais egg production went abroad in 2025. From January through September 2026, the state exported approximately 6,340 tonnes, 8.7% less than in the same period of 2025, although overseas sales recovered during August and September. The domestic market therefore remains the main source of demand for the state’s laying-hen sector.
Consumption is heading for a new high
The Brazilian Animal Protein Association projects national consumption at 301 eggs per person in 2026, up as much as 4.5% from 288 in 2025. That is equivalent to roughly six eggs per person each week. Consumption stood at 142.3 eggs per person in 2006, meaning the 2026 forecast represents growth of 111.5% over 20 years.
The association links the advance to eggs’ affordability, versatility and established role in Brazilian diets. For Minas Gerais producers, continued consumption growth offers a broad domestic outlet for productivity-led expansion. However, the gap between rising output, volatile prices and limited export diversification leaves farm profitability dependent on disciplined cost control and the balance of supply and demand inside Brazil.
Demand may increase further. The association estimates consumption could reach 312 eggs per person in 2027, as much as 3.5% above the 2026 projection. If achieved, that would put per-capita consumption 119.3% above its 2006 level and extend the long-term expansion of Brazil’s egg market.