France, July 20 -- Despite being Europe's largest egg producer, France is struggling to keep up with soaring domestic demand as shoppers look for cheaper sources of protein. A plan to build 300 new farms should help, but animal welfare advocates say this must not undermine progress on standards and the move away from cages.
France produced a staggering 15.4 billion eggs in 2024, more than any other EU country. Yet there are regular gaps on supermarket shelves.
"Demand for eggs has gone up a lot, especially over the past few months," says Alice Richard, head of the National Committee for the Promotion of the Egg (CNPO).
Egg consumption jumped 4-5 percent in 2023 and 2024, with the trend accelerating in early 2025. French consumers now eat...