Ukraine Became the Leader in Chicken Egg Exports to the United Kingdom in 2025

Ukraine and Poland have become the main suppliers of chicken eggs to the UK market, significantly increasing export volumes in the first half of 2025. According to the UK government’s Animal and Plant Health Agency, during this period, Ukraine exported 8 million kilograms of chicken eggs to the country. Poland ranked second with nearly 7 million kilograms, followed by Spain with 4.7 million kilograms. Overall, imports of eggs from various European countries account for 12% of the UK market.

This is reported by AgroReview

British Producers Express Concerns Over Competition

Local producers in the UK are expressing dissatisfaction with the increase in egg imports, particularly from hens kept in cages. They emphasize that since 2012, there has been a ban on cage farming of birds in the UK, while in many exporting countries, this practice is still allowed. According to British farmers, the government requires them to adhere to high animal welfare standards, yet simultaneously permits the import of products produced under less stringent standards.

“Ukraine does not face these costs, giving it a significant commercial advantage. That’s why it is so attractive to send eggs and egg products to the UK right now,” he says.

Features of the British Market and Trade Conditions

The UK government allowed the import of Ukrainian eggs following Russia’s full-scale invasion, considering the humanitarian circumstances. Mark Williams, head of the British Egg Industry Council, emphasized that the supply of eggs produced using technologies banned for British farmers is morally controversial and unfair.

At the same time, according to UK standards, only the highest quality eggs, which undergo thorough inspection and are permitted for raw consumption, are sold in retail. Consequently, Ukrainian and other imported eggs primarily enter the segments of public catering and processing, which together account for 35% of the market. These segments remain attractive to suppliers due to lower prices and less stringent product requirements.

According to Mark Williams, British food safety, animal welfare, and environmental protection requirements account for approximately 14% of the production cost of a dozen eggs, which significantly impacts the competitiveness of local products.

Ukraine has appealed to the UK authorities to extend the preferential trade regime until 2029. While most Ukrainian goods will retain duty-free status until that date, for eggs and poultry, which fall into sensitive categories, preferential conditions will only apply until 2027.