Eggs from different housing systems and production programs on the market of the city of Belgrade

Abstract

In the year when the already extended deadline for egg producers in Serbia to shift from cage farming to hen housing systems expires, the aim of the study was to analyse the egg market in Belgrade, as the largest market in Serbia. The representation of eggs from different housing systems and production programs in 11 supermarkets, covering the majority of retail chains in Serbia, was examined. In addition, the survey of 247 consumers was conducted in order to determine their views on the housing system and the price of eggs. Results showed the presence of 9 egg producers on Belgrade market, 8 of which provided eggs from the cage system, 5 from the floor system, while 4 offered free-range eggs. Cage eggs were represented in all supermarkets (11), floor eggs in 9 supermarkets, free-range eggs in 6, eggs from the functional food program (ꞷ-3 enriched) in 7, and organic eggs in one supermarket. The analysis of the prices of eggs in different supermarkets, showed that the price per egg from the cage system, for a package of 10 eggs, varied between 0.13 and 0.21 EUR for Grade M, and between 0.14 and 0.25 EUR for Grade L eggs. The price for floor eggs (Grade M) ranged between 0.17 and 0.25, free-range eggs 0.20 and 0.28, ꞷ-3 eggs 0.26 and 0.32 EUR, while it was 0.55 EUR for organic eggs. By comparing the average price of Grade M cage eggs (0.18 EUR), with eggs from other housing systems and production programs, it was found that the price of floor eggs was 25% higher, free-range eggs 41% higher, ꞷ-3 eggs 56% higher and eggs from organic production 206% higher, respectively. Housing system and the price of eggs, as factors affecting decision when purchasing eggs, were not important for 35.19%, and 34.07% of respondents in the survey, respectively. It can be concluded that eggs from the cage system are still the most represented in Belgrade supermarket, but, compared to the similar research from 2017, the supply of eggs from the floor and free-range housing systems has increased. This indicates that the changes in the regulation influenced the transition of egg producers to permitted housing systems. Supply of ꞷ-3 eggs is satisfactory, while other types of designer eggs are lacking. The supply of organic eggs in supermarkets is insufficient.