Not in shell eggs and egg yolks market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The Latin American market for not in shell eggs and egg yolks expanded from 124 thousand tons in 2018 to 129.7 thousand tons in 2021. This growth was driven by increased domestic egg production, which created surpluses for processing into liquid and dried egg products. At the same time, rising consumer demand for differentiated eggs—such as omega‑3 enriched, organic, and free‑range varieties—stimulated consumption and encouraged product segmentation.

Market volume stabilized at 129.7 thousand tons in 2022 and then declined slightly to 128.1 thousand tons in 2023. This shift occurred as growing per capita consumption and record national egg production were accompanied by a sharp rise in exports of egg products and a reduction in imports. Policies promoting self‑sufficiency and export‑oriented processing diverted a larger share of output abroad.

Throughout the period, avian influenza outbreaks periodically affected supply chains and pushed up producer prices. These pressures accelerated the adoption of processed egg products like egg powder and liquid yolk, which offered longer shelf life and helped stabilize availability for both domestic and export markets.

Production not in shell eggs and egg yolks in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of not in shell eggs and egg yolks, 2017-2020

World map of production of not in shell eggs and egg yolks, 2017-2020

Latin America and the Caribbean have seen their production of not-in-shell eggs and egg yolks grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 126.1 thousand tonnes, marking a 3.8% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 27.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports not in shell eggs and egg yolks from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean exported 3,329 tonnes of not-in-shell eggs and egg yolks, a significant drop of 19.8% compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 23.4%, averaging an 8.5% annual decline. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2,609 tonnes, which also saw the steepest decrease of 40.0%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase, with exports jumping by 59.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the export destinations for not-in-shell eggs and egg yolks were highly diverse. Japan accounted for 8.4% of exports, the United Arab Emirates for 8.2%, and Saudi Arabia for 6.8%, together making up just 23.4% of total flows. The remaining 76.6% was spread across numerous smaller trading partners.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of not-in-shell eggs and egg yolks exports from Latin America and the Caribbean stood at 10,375 thousand US dollars, down 21.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value declined by 34.2%, with an average annual decrease of 13.0%. The only notable increase occurred in 2019, when exports grew by 5.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The export market in value terms was broad from 2017 to 2020. Japan contributed 7.4% of export value, the United Arab Emirates 4.4%, and Saudi Arabia 3.6%, collectively representing only 15.4% of total flows. The vast majority, 84.6%, was distributed among many other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports not in shell eggs and egg yolks to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

Latin America and the Caribbean imported about 5,349 tonnes of not-in-shell eggs and egg yolks in 2020, a sharp decline of 45.7% from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 45.3%, averaging an 18.2% annual drop. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 9,858 tonnes, which also saw a modest increase of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States dominated imports of not-in-shell eggs and egg yolks, accounting for 60.5% of the volume. Denmark followed with 3.9%, and Germany with 3.4%. Together, these three countries made up 67.7% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of not-in-shell eggs and egg yolks into Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value reached 24,777 thousand US dollars, a 30.9% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 17.9%, with an average annual decline of 6.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 40,758 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 35.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading source for imports in value terms, representing 48.7%. Denmark accounted for 5.7%, and Germany for 5.1%. Combined, these three markets made up 59.5% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020