EU-Mercosur pact could crack Europe’s egg market

The pending EU-Mercosur trade agreement is raising alarm bells across Europe’s egg industry, as Brazil’s rapidly expanding egg production threatens to disrupt the market.

David Corredor

The pending EU-Mercosur trade agreement is raising alarm bells across Europe’s egg industry, as Brazil’s rapidly expanding egg production threatens to disrupt the market. While much attention has been given to broiler meat and beef imports, experts warn that eggs and egg products are poised to become a major battleground.

• Under the deal, tariffs on Brazilian food products—including eggs—are set to be dramatically lowered.
• This opens the door for Brazil, which has significantly ramped up its egg production and export capacity in 2024 and 2025, to penetrate the European market.
• Brazil’s poultry sector has invested heavily in logistics infrastructure and EU-approved processing facilities, positioning itself to deliver eggs faster and cheaper than European producers.

Katarzyna Gawrońska, president of Poland’s National Chamber of Poultry and Feed Producers, emphasized that Brazil’s strategy mirrors its earlier success in broiler meat exports. “This is a major long-term threat,” she said, noting that Brazil is likely to become a dominant force in the global egg trade.

• European egg producers face a stark disadvantage.
• Strict animal welfare regulations, cage-free mandates, and high production costs make EU eggs significantly more expensive.
• In contrast, Brazil benefits from low-cost feed, flexible welfare laws, and a favorable climate, allowing it to produce eggs up to 40% cheaper.

Poland, the EU’s largest egg exporter, is particularly vulnerable. Brazilian producers are targeting both the EU and UK markets, with aggressive expansion strategies. Gawrońska warned that this dual pressure could severely impact Polish farmers, especially as Brazil builds subsidiaries near Europe to streamline distribution.

The European Commission is expected to finalize the deal by December 5, leaving little time for opposition. Efforts to block the agreement have faltered, with Italy proving difficult to sway, making it unlikely that a blocking minority will be formed.