October 13, 2011

Romanian egg imports down

Romania's egg imports decreased by 29% from last January-June, amounting 4063.5 tonnes by mid-year, according to figures shown by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Wednesday (Oct 12).

This is twice lower than the egg imports made in the first half-year from both EU- and non-EU countries.

Revenues from the shipments of eggs in shell or without shell and egg yolks, either fresh, preserved or processed totalled EUR3.9 million (US$5.4 million) in the first six months, less than the EUR5.48 million (US$7.6 million) made in the same period last year, when 5,713.6 tonnes were shipped.

Egg imports were higher than 8,473.2 tonnes by June, totalling EUR11.91 million (US$16.42 million), while they totalled 8,051 tonnes in the same period last year, amounting to some EUR15 million (US$21 million).

According to figures supplied by the Romanian Poultry Breeders Union, there are currently around 150 egg producers in Romania, 35 of whom are big producers accounting for 85% of the Romanian industrial production.

The Romanian annual production stands at some 1.36 billion eggs. Nearly 12 million Romanian urban residents consume roughly 100 million eggs a month, but such consumption surges 50% at Easter.

The Romanian Poultry Breeders Union has 100 members that produce 75% of the poultry meat and 80% of the eggs in the Romanian industrial system.