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Global egg production is staggering: Which country is the biggest producer?
Eggs have always been an integral part of the human diet, especially from hens, which have become the most popular egg food in the world. According to recent data, global egg production is quite staggering, and production capacity and consumption habits vary from country to country.
According to statistics, global egg production reached 801,000 tons in 2017. Among them, China ranks first in the world with a production of 313,000 tons, far surpassing other countries.
The consumption of eggs has a long history, dating back thousands of years. According to archaeologists, people in Southeast Asia began using eggs as food as early as 1500 BC. Over time, the production and consumption of eggs has continued to expand and today has become an important part of the global food industry.
In view of the nutritional value of eggs as well as their flexibility in cooking, there are even regional differences in the demand for eggs in many countries. For example, in Asia, eggs are considered an everyday ingredient in many countries, while they are less common in Western countries. According to statistics, in 2013 Asia's egg production accounted for 59% of the world's total production.
History of Egg production
Historically, eggs have been considered a precious food source. It is speculated that the domestication of hens began around 7500 BC, with the main purpose of obtaining eggs. Subsequently, hens were gradually widely cultivated in major civilizations, and were also farmed in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia as early as 1500 BC.
Egyptian tomb paintings have depicted people transporting goose eggs and other large eggs, suggesting that in ancient times, eggs were even considered offerings.
In ancient Rome, eggs were preserved in various ways, and meals were often started with eggs. And in the Middle Ages, it became a tradition to choose to suspend consumption during fasting due to the abundance of eggs. This practice is not only due to religious reasons, but also to considerations of the need for poultry to rest in seasonal agriculture.
Current egg production
As mentioned above, the largest egg producer in the world today is China, followed closely by the United States and India. According to the data, 9.41 billion eggs were produced in the United States in 2019, 80% of which were used for home consumption.
Per capita egg consumption in the United States reached 279 in 2019, a new high since 1973.
The production process of eggs is detailed from picking to checking quality. During the examination of eggs, candlelight is used to check whether there are blood vessels or embryos inside them. During handling, depending on local regulations, eggs are often washed, but this affects their freshness.
Different kinds of eggs
In the gastronomic world, eggs are not limited to eggs, but also include duck eggs, goose eggs and even eggs from other birds. In different regions, the types and cultures of eggs vary. For example, goose and duck eggs are very popular in some Asian countries and commonly found in markets.
In the UK, the eggs of some special birds such as gull eggs are considered a delicacy, especially in the Scandinavian countries.
During the production process, there are also significant differences in the shell color of the eggs. The color of the ears of hens tends to affect the color of the eggshell, with milky white ears producing more white eggs, while red ears produce brown eggs. Different regions have cultural preferences for the color of the eggs they produce.
Nutrition and Health Effects
Eggs are an important source of protein, with each medium-sized egg containing about 70 calories and 6 grams of protein, according to the Department of Agriculture. In addition, eggs are rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin B12 and choline.
Controversial is whether the cholesterol in eggs can have health effects, with mixed findings to date.
In the modern diet, the diverse use of eggs makes them an indispensable ingredient, from breakfast omelets to assorted baked goods, eggs are constantly creating new delicacies. In terms of dietary health considerations, choosing the right amount of egg consumption may help improve the overall health status.
In this era of rising global demand for eggs, how will producers in various countries respond to this challenge and ensure sustainable supply chains as production technology advances and consumers become more concerned about food sources ?
