Higher over the period
Africa Egg Production moved from 3,341 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 4,100 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+22.7%), an average of +2.3% a year. The series high was 4,120 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the low 3,290 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
What Africa Egg Production shows
Africa Egg Production was 4,100 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 0.5% on 2023. The Africa Egg Production dataset provides a comprehensive assessment of regional egg production trends and poultry farming performance across Africa between 2015 and 2024. Measured in Thousand Tonnes, the dataset serves as an important benchmark for evaluating agricultural productivity, poultry sector development, food supply capacity, and Africa's contribution to the global egg industry.
A 20.2% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2016) is 830.2 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +8.5% in 2019.
Nigeria leads the region
Within Africa, Nigeria has the highest value in 2024 at 658 Thousand Tonnes, 16% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Egg Production by country, 2024
Thousand Tonnes. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Thousand Tonnes↕ | vs 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 658 | −1.9% | |
| 2 | Egypt | 640 | −2.3% | |
| 3 | South Africa | 433 | −9.8% |
Full series
Africa Egg Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4,100 | −0.5% |
| 2023Peak | 4,120 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | 4,058 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | 3,992 | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 3,984 | +4.9% |
| 2019 | 3,799 | +8.5% |
| 2018 | 3,502 | +1.8% |
| 2017 | 3,441 | +4.6% |
| 2016 Trough | 3,290 | −1.5% |
| 2015 | 3,341 | — |
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Egg Production — – Egg Production refers to the total quantity of eggs produced by poultry within a country during a specified period, measured in tonnes. The indicator reflects the scale of poultry farming, livestock productivity, and the contribution of egg production to the agricultural and food sectors. It is used to assess domestic food production, protein supply, and the performance of the poultry industry. The data presented by Our World in Data is based on statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The data includes the annual production of hen eggs and other poultry eggs intended for human consumption, food processing, and industrial food applications. It covers eggs produced by commercial poultry farms as well as other officially reported poultry production systems. The figures represent gross domestic egg production compiled from official agricultural statistics and standardized by the FAO to enable international comparison across countries and years.
The data excludes hatching eggs intended solely for breeding, processed egg products such as liquid, dried, or powdered eggs, egg imports and exports, poultry meat production, live poultry inventories, and post-production losses. It also excludes informal or unrecorded production not captured in official agricultural statistics and eggs produced by wild birds or other non-commercial sources not included in national agricultural reporting.
About this indicator
Egg Production — – Egg Production refers to the total quantity of eggs produced by poultry within a country during a specified period, measured in tonnes. The indicator reflects the scale of poultry farming, livestock productivity, and the contribution of egg production to the agricultural and food sectors. It is used to assess domestic food production, protein supply, and the performance of the poultry industry. The data presented by Our World in Data is based on statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Based on the validated data, regional egg production showed overall growth during the study period despite moderate year-to-year fluctuations. Total production stood at 3,341.30 thousand tonnes in 2015, declined slightly to 3,289.62 thousand tonnes in 2016, and increased to 3,441.23 thousand tonnes in 2017 and 3,501.72 thousand tonnes in 2018. Output continued to expand to 3,799.39 thousand tonnes in 2019, 3,983.98 thousand tonnes in 2020, and 3,992.02 thousand tonnes in 2021. Production rose further to 4,058.36 thousand tonnes in 2022 and reached 4,119.79 thousand tonnes in 2023, the highest level recorded during the study period, before easing slightly to 4,099.76 thousand tonnes in 2024. Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa remained the region's leading egg producers, while the remaining African countries collectively contributed significantly to overall regional output. The overall trend reflects gradual expansion in poultry farming capacity, improving production efficiency, and growing demand for eggs across the continent.
The dataset provides valuable insights into egg production trends, agricultural productivity, and poultry supply chain development across Africa. It supports historical trend analysis, production benchmarking, market assessment, and forecasting of future egg availability. Farmers, poultry producers, food manufacturers, retailers, exporters, policymakers, investors, researchers, and industry stakeholders can use the dataset to evaluate production performance, compare country-level output, identify investment opportunities, optimize production planning, and strengthen regional supply chains. The data is also valuable for assessing Africa's contribution to global egg production, supporting agricultural innovation, improving production efficiency, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable economic development across the poultry and food processing industries.
- Indicator
- Egg Production
- Region
- Africa
- Unit
- Thousand Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2024, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is Africa Egg Production?
Definition – Egg Production refers to the total quantity of eggs produced by poultry within a country during a specified period, measured in tonnes. The indicator reflects the scale of poultry farming, livestock productivity, and the contribution of egg production to the agricultural and food sectors. It is used to assess domestic food production, protein supply, and the performance of the poultry industry. The data presented by Our World in Data is based on statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
What was Africa Egg Production in 2024?
Africa Egg Production was 4,100 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 0.5% on 2023.
How has Africa Egg Production changed between 2015 and 2024?
Africa Egg Production moved from 3,341 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 4,100 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+22.7%), an average of +2.3% a year. The series high was 4,120 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the low 3,290 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
Which year had the highest and lowest Africa Egg Production?
The highest value was 4,120 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 3,290 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
What does the Africa Egg Production data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes the annual production of hen eggs and other poultry eggs intended for human consumption, food processing, and industrial food applications. It covers eggs produced by commercial poultry farms as well as other officially reported poultry production systems. The figures represent gross domestic egg production compiled from official agricultural statistics and standardized by the FAO to enable international comparison across countries and years. Excluded: The data excludes hatching eggs intended solely for breeding, processed egg products such as liquid, dried, or powdered eggs, egg imports and exports, poultry meat production, live poultry inventories, and post-production losses. It also excludes informal or unrecorded production not captured in official agricultural statistics and eggs produced by wild birds or other non-commercial sources not included in national agricultural reporting.
Where does the Africa Egg Production data come from?
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?time=2023&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls&Food=Eggs%2C+total&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false). It covers 2015–2024 and is reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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