Egg prices surge in Europe ahead of Easter: Which countries saw the highest rise? | Euronews

## Summary
Spain recorded the highest egg inflation at 31.3%, followed by North Macedonia (26.3%) and Portugal (20.9%), based on consumer prices. Over one year, Spain still recorded the highest increase in egg market prices, at 33.7%. Cheapest and most expensive countries for eggs Consumer egg prices vary widely across Europe. Explaining why poultry prices have been rising in 2025, Paul-Henri Lava, deputy secretary-general of AVEC, the European Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade, told Euronews Business: “Demand has stayed very strong, with consumers continuing to substitute toward chicken as a relatively affordable protein while beef and eggs remain expensive.” He noted that avian influenza remains a structural disruption risk. “It creates volatility in supply and prices and, in Europe, has had a particularly strong impact on the hatching-egg market, a key bottleneck for broiler supply, which pushes up breeding input costs and can constrain placements,” he concluded.

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By&nbsp
Servet Yanatma
Published on
04/04/2026 - 7:00 GMT+2
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Egg prices, both consumer and wholesale, are on the rise across Europe. Egg inflation significantly outpaces overall inflation in most European countries.
Eggs are a key part of Easter, with colourful eggs everywhere. However, consumer prices are rising across Europe.
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Egg prices have increased much faster than overall inflation. While EU inflation stood at 2.3% in December 2025, egg prices rose by 9.3%, according to Eurostat's latest available data.
The one-year market price increase for eggs reached 18.4% in the EU, according to CIRCABC.
This “eggflation” is even higher in some countries. So, which countries have seen the biggest increases in egg prices across Europe? And how do egg prices compare across the continent?
Spain recorded the highest egg inflation at 31.3%, followed by North Macedonia (26.3%) and Portugal (20.9%), based on consumer prices. Overall inflation in these countries was significantly lower than egg prices. It stood at 3% in Spain and 2.4% in Portugal.
These figures reflect consumer prices, according to Eurostat, as of December 2025, based on the annual rate of change.
Albania, Latvia, Austria, Slovakia and Montenegro also recorded increases between 13% and 19%.
Egg inflation is also above 10% in Poland, Lithuania, Iceland, Estonia and Romania.
Among the EU’s “Big Four” economies, France saw the lowest increase at 2.6%, followed by Germany (3.3%), while Italy (8.4%) was close to the EU average.
Only Cyprus (-1.6%) and Luxembourg (-0.5%) saw slight declines in egg prices, while prices remained unchanged in Sweden.
18% rise in market prices
The European Commission’s weekly egg market prices provide more recent trends. Prices are reported for products at packing stations. In the EU, egg wholesale prices rose by 18.4% in February 2026 compared to the same month last year.
Over one year, Spain still recorded the highest increase in egg market prices, at 33.7%.
The increase was also at least 20% in France (22.2%), the Netherlands (21.3%) and Czechia (20%). Egg market prices rose by 17.4% in Germany and 13.2% in Italy.
Several other countries also recorded increases of over 10% in market prices.
Cheapest and most expensive countries for eggs
Consumer egg prices vary widely across Europe. According to Numbeo, with data collected in early April 2026, the price of 12 large eggs ranges from €1.52 in Kosovo to €6.7 in Switzerland across 37 European countries.
Prices are above €4 in Denmark (€4.38), the Netherlands (€4.29), Luxembourg (€4.25), Norway (€4.23) and Austria (€4.17).
Among Europe’s five largest economies, France has the highest egg prices, with 12 large eggs costing €3.76, followed by Italy (€3.65). Prices are €3.45 in the UK and €3.32 in Germany.
While egg inflation is highest in Spain, prices there are the lowest among these countries at €2.87.
The lowest egg prices are found in Eastern European countries, the Balkans and EU candidate countries. Prices are mostly below €3, including in Hungary, Serbia and North Macedonia.
The Irish Farmers' Association said there are egg shortages on supermarket shelves. Producers are seeking an extra 2 cents per egg to cover their costs.
Explaining why poultry prices have been rising in 2025, Paul-Henri Lava, deputy secretary-general of AVEC, the European Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade, told Euronews Business: “Demand has stayed very strong, with consumers continuing to substitute toward chicken as a relatively affordable protein while beef and eggs remain expensive.”
He noted that avian influenza remains a structural disruption risk.
“It creates volatility in supply and prices and, in Europe, has had a particularly strong impact on the hatching-egg market, a key bottleneck for broiler supply, which pushes up breeding input costs and can constrain placements,” he concluded.
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Explaining why poultry prices have been rising in 2025, Paul-Henri Lava, deputy secretary-general of AVEC, the European Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade, told Euronews Business: “Demand has stayed very strong, with consumers continuing to substitute toward chicken as a relatively affordable protein while beef and eggs remain expensive.” He noted that avian influenza remains a structural disruption risk. “It creates volatility in supply and prices and, in Europe, has had a particularly strong impact on the hatching-egg market, a key bottleneck for broiler supply, which pushes up breeding input costs and can constrain placements,” he concluded.

### Areas for Consideration
- Explaining why poultry prices have been rising in 2025, Paul-Henri Lava, deputy secretary-general of AVEC, the European Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade, told Euronews Business: “Demand has stayed very strong, with consumers continuing to substitute toward chicken as a relatively affordable protein while beef and eggs remain expensive.” He noted that avian influenza remains a structural disruption risk. “It creates volatility in supply and prices and, in Europe, has had a particularly strong impact on the hatching-egg market, a key bottleneck for broiler supply, which pushes up breeding input costs and can constrain placements,” he concluded.

### Implications
- These figures reflect consumer prices, according to Eurostat, as of December 2025, based on the annual rate of change.
- Explaining why poultry prices have been rising in 2025, Paul-Henri Lava, deputy secretary-general of AVEC, the European Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade, told Euronews Business: “Demand has stayed very strong, with consumers continuing to substitute toward chicken as a relatively affordable protein while beef and eggs remain expensive.” He noted that avian influenza remains a structural disruption risk. “It creates volatility in supply and prices and, in Europe, has had a particularly strong impact on the hatching-egg market, a key bottleneck for broiler supply, which pushes up breeding input costs and can constrain placements,” he concluded.
- Economy Most Europeans expect a more rapid increase in grocery prices in 2026 Economy Food inflation: Which foods are getting pricier fastest across Europe?

### Expert Commentary
This article covers prices, egg, inflation topics. Notable strengths include discussion of prices. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 676.