The egg industry is rapidly developing. Large producers are increasing volumes, while small farms do not always manage to fully meet demand. According to the latest data, there are more than 4.5 million laying hens in Latvia, and nearly a billion eggs are produced annually.
The industry is increasingly focused on export while simultaneously adapting to the demand for higher quality eggs laid outside of cages. According to current estimates, Latvia could become a leader in egg production in Northern Europe. There are more than 3,200 poultry farms registered in Latvia.
As Laura, the owner of a farm in the Sigulda region, explained, her business, which started with about 20 hens, has grown to more than 600 birds in eight years, most of which are layers.
"Practically every hen lays one egg a day, which amounts to up to 350 eggs a day. Over the course of a year, that's about 125,000 eggs, and we can handle that volume," said Laura Logina-Lutsava, the owner of "Pakalni."
"Pakalni" eggs are mainly sold at local markets and in small quantities in chain stores. In turn, the largest egg producer in Latvia, "Balticovo," is capable of producing up to three million eggs a day, of which about 70% is exported.
"Our main export markets are, of course, here in the Baltics - we supply products to Lithuania and Estonia, as well as to Poland. The Czech Republic is a very important market. We export liquid and boiled eggs to Germany, Scandinavia, and even New Zealand - they are sent there frozen. Overall, we export products to more than 20 countries," said Toms Aushkaps, a board member of "Balticovo."
As demand grows, the largest market players are entering into contracts with small regional farms. For example, "Balticovo" collaborates with "Limbažu putnu ferma," where cage-free hens produce up to 25,000 eggs a day.
"We buy all the eggs, and in Limbaži, we supply young stock and feed, as well as share our veterinary knowledge. We help each other, and in this way, in my opinion, everyone wins - primarily Latvia," said a representative of "Balticovo."
