Egg Farming in Australia - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
Melbourne, Australia
Last Updated: August 2023
ANZSIC A0172Revenue
$1.1bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XX.Xm
Employees
3,977
Businesses
561
Wages
$XXX.Xm
Egg Farming in Australia industry analysis
Egg farmers have faced volatile trading conditions over the past five years. They've benefited from rising per capita egg consumption over the period, as consumers have increasingly opted for eggs as an alternative to red meat as a source of protein. An overall increase in egg production has also benefited the industry. However, slow growth in prices has limited growth in industry revenue over the period. Consequently, industry revenue is expected to increase at an annualised 4.0% over the five years through 2022-23, to $1.1 billion. This trend includes an expected growth of 15.9% in the current year, with production volumes rising strongly and prices lifting as input costs rise.Egg farmers have increasingly shifted from cage to free-range egg production over the past five years. Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about animal welfare in cage egg production systems, with downstream markets following this trend. For example, the major supermarket chains, Coles, Woolworths and Aldi, are increasingly phasing out cage eggs from their shelves. In addition, food-service establishments, like Hungry Jack's, are increasingly switching to using only cage-free eggs on their menus. Consequently, cage eggs have declined as a share of industry revenue over the period.The Federal Government introduced a mandatory legal definition for free-range eggs in April 2018, setting the maximum stocking density to 10,000 birds per hectare. This regulation caused initial short-term supply shortages of free-range eggs in downstream markets as producers adapted to the new law. However, as demand has since considerably shifted towards cage-free eggs, this trend has contributed to an oversupply of cage eggs. Both these factors have limited industry growth over the past five years.Going forward, egg farming revenue is projected to record moderate revenue growth. Population growth is forecast to support a rise in total egg consumption over the period. The industry's move towards organic and free-range eggs will likely contribute to higher egg prices over the coming years, boosting profit margins. Additionally, demand from the food-service sector is projected to return to pre-pandemic levels in the short term. However, stronger demand at the retail level is set to gradually weaken. Revenue is forecast to rise at an average annual 2.5% through to 2027-28, to reach $1.3 billion.
Trends and Insights
- Demand has increasingly switched to free-range eggs. Major buyers like Coles, Woolworths, Hungary Jacks and McDonalds are all phasing out cage eggs from their supply chains.
- Caged egg sales are wilting. Growing animal welfare concerns are driving consumers to switch to free-range and barn-laid eggs instead.
- Most egg farms are located in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. These three states have the largest consumer markets.
- Egg farmers compete with each other on price and quality. Cage eggs are the cheapest type of eggs produced. Free-range eggs are more expensive but are preferred by an increasing number of consumers due to increased animal welfare concerns.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 4.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.1bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
Increasing health awareness has boosted consumer demand for eggs
- There has been a strong rise in per capita egg consumption over the past decade. Eggs have been increasingly seen as an important part of a healthy diet as they are rich in vitamins, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Battery cages are set to be phased out over the next decade
- In August 2022, a set of new compulsory guidelines were released that detail the phasing out of battery cages by 2036.
Biggest companies in the Egg Farming in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2023 | Revenue ($m)
2023 |
|---|---|---|
Sunny Queen Farms | 390.4 | |
Pace Farm | 362.1 | |
Farm Pride Foods | 34.5 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Cage eggs, Free-range eggs and Barn-laid eggs. Cage eggs is the largest segment of the Egg Farming in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Growing ethical concerns among consumers are boosting demand for free-range eggs
- Free-range eggs are produced by hens that have meaningful and regular access to an outdoor range for foraging and a maximum stocking density of 10,000 birds per hectare.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- Poultry Meat Farming in Australia
- Poultry Processing in Australia
- Meat, Poultry and Smallgoods Wholesaling in Australia
- Fresh Meat, Fish and Poultry Retailing in Australia
International industries
- Chicken Egg Production in the US
- Chicken Egg Production in Canada
- Poultry Meat and Egg Farming in New Zealand
- Poultry Farming in China
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Industry companies farm poultry to produce eggs and hatch egg-breed chicks.
What's included in this industry?
Cage eggsFree-range eggsBarn-laid eggsOrganic eggsDuck eggsQuail eggsCompanies
Sunny Queen FarmsPace FarmFarm Pride FoodsPurchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
CAGE EGGSFREE-RANGE EGGSBARN-LAID EGGSFARMGATE PRICESGRADINGIndustry Code
ANZSIC 0172 - Egg Farming in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Demand has increasingly switched to free-range eggs. Major buyers like Coles, Woolworths, Hungary Jacks and McDonalds are all phasing out cage eggs from their supply chains.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Caged egg sales are wilting. Growing animal welfare concerns are driving consumers to switch to free-range and barn-laid eggs instead.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Most egg farms are located in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. These three states have the largest consumer markets.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Egg farmers compete with each other on price and quality. Cage eggs are the cheapest type of eggs produced. Free-range eggs are more expensive but are preferred by an increas...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Sunny Queen is a leading free-range egg producer. The company adopted the CSIRO’s Model Code of Practice standards for free-range eggs in 2016.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of Sunny Queen Farms's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Pace Farm's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Farm Pride Foods's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Sunny Queen Farms, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Pace Farm, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Farm Pride Foods, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The National Information Standard introduced as part of Australian Consumer Law in 2018 sets standards for free-range egg farming. Under this standard, the maximum stocking d...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Purchase costs have expanded as a share of revenue over the past five years. Feed costs have risen strongly with global supply disrupted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Egg Farming industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the Egg Farming industry in Australia is $1.1bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Egg Farming in Australia industry in 2023?
There are 561 businesses in the Egg Farming industry in Australia, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.4 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Egg Farming industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Egg Farming industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 4.0 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Egg Farming industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Egg Farming industry in Australia is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Egg Farming market in Australia?
The biggest companies operating in the Egg Farming market in Australia are Sunny Queen Farms, Pace Farm and Farm Pride Foods
What does the Egg Farming in Australia include?
Cage eggs and Free-range eggs are part of the Egg Farming industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Egg Farming in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is Sunny Queen Farms.
How competitive is the Egg Farming industry in Australia?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Egg Farming industry in Australia.
