Liquid eggs market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The liquid egg market in South Africa expanded from 39 087 tonnes in 2018 to 51 072 tonnes in 2020. This growth was primarily driven by avian influenza outbreaks, which caused a sharp shortage of table eggs and led the government to relax import restrictions on liquid and powdered eggs. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further disrupted supply chains, increasing reliance on bulk liquid egg imports for industrial bakeries, while plant-based alternatives began to emerge as a new segment.

After a slight contraction to 48 596 tonnes in 2021 as layer flocks recovered, the market saw a modest rebound to 49 773 tonnes in 2022, supported by rising per-capita egg consumption and continued dominance by large producers like Quantum Foods. However, a severe HPAI outbreak in 2023 culled millions of layers, slashing domestic production and pulling the total market volume down to 42 758 tonnes, despite fast-tracked imports of liquid eggs to maintain food security.

In 2024, regulatory approvals for importing liquid eggs were formalized, and Quantum Foods announced plans to build a new processing plant to scale up production. The market also witnessed the entry of lab-grown egg prototypes, signaling further diversification and innovation within the liquid egg segment amidst ongoing global supply-chain adjustments.

Production liquid eggs in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of liquid eggs, 2017-2020

World map of production of liquid eggs, 2017-2020

SADC's liquid egg production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 50 980 tonnes of liquid eggs, marking a steady year-over-year increase of 6.2%. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 34.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in SADC in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports liquid eggs from SADC

Exports in kind, t

Liquid egg exports from SADC have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 9.3 tonnes, down 43.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 80.1%, with an average annual decline of 41.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from SADC in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, SADC's liquid egg exports reached a wide range of buyers. Nigeria accounted for 2.3% of exports in volume, China for 2.0%, and Congo for 1.6%, together making up just 5.9% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from SADC in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, SADC's liquid egg exports in value terms rebounded. In 2020, exports totaled 46.5 thousand US dollars, up 15.7% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 62.2%, with an average annual decrease of 27.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 40.2 thousand US dollars, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 at 51.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from SADC in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

An analysis of liquid egg export values from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across numerous markets. Congo represented 8.4% of exports in value, Nigeria 4.6%, and Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha 1.6%, together accounting for only 14.6% of total flows. The remaining 85.4% went to various other partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from SADC in value, 2017-2020

Imports liquid eggs to SADC

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during these years. Imports hit a low of 28.2 tonnes in 2018, then surged to 101.8 tonnes in 2020, a 53.6% increase from the previous year. From the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2018, imports changed by a factor of 6.3. The largest decline was in 2018 at 84.0%, while the biggest rise was in 2019 at 135.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to SADC in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, India dominated SADC's liquid egg imports in volume, with a 50.6% share. Portugal followed at 5.9%, and Belgium at 3.9%. Together, these three countries represented 60.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to SADC in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Imports reached a low of 85.9 thousand US dollars in 2018, then climbed to 185.0 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 31.9% rise from the previous year. From the peak in 2017 to the bottom in 2018, imports differed by 3.8 times. The largest decline was in 2018 at 74.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 63.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to SADC in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, liquid egg imports to SADC in value terms were spread across many countries. India held a 31.2% share, Belgium 10.8%, and Portugal 6.6%, jointly accounting for 48.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to SADC in value, 2017-2020