EGGS. In a number of countries an attempt is made to enumerate the stock of poultry but it is evident that the result can only be roughly approximated and that returns of the number of eggs would be still more untrustworthy.
In Great Britain returns were obtained, for the first time, in 1908 of the number of poultry kept on agricultural holdings, and similar returns have been collected at intervals in later years. In the special enquiry made in 1925 in connection with the Census of Production Act (see AGRICULTURE, CENSUS OF) the Ministry of Agriculture endeavoured also to obtain particulars of egg produc tion on farms. Occupiers owning about 20 per cent of the fowls on agricultural holdings furnished particulars of egg production. On the basis of these returns it was calculated that the number of eggs produced on farms in England and Wales was 1,458 millions. Large numbers of fowls are kept by private persons outside agri cultural holdings, and it is estimated that one-third should be added to allow for this supply. The total number of hen's eggs would thus reach nearly 2,000 millions. The production of duck's eggs is estimated at 43 millions.
Great Britain has long been an importer of eggs. As far back as I 7 I 0 there was a duty on imported eggs which was from time to time increased from 2d. per "long hundred" (120) to rod. in 1853, when it was reduced to 4d. and was finally abolished in 1860. At that time the imports amounted to about 2 million eggs.
In 1870 the imports had increased to 431 millions and there after rose steadily, decade by decade, up to the time of the World War, thus:— After the trade began to recover from the effects of the World War the total rose to 1,639 millions in 1922. In 1927 the total reached 2,921 millions, but as supplies from the Irish Free State, which, before 1923, were regarded as home produce, have since that date been treated as imports, the figure is not comparable. The imports from the Irish Free State in 1927 amounted to 6o6 millions, so that the total comparable with that prior to 1923 is millions.
Preserved eggs are not distinguished in the returns but it may be assumed that fresh eggs are mostly subjected to some form of preservative process for shipment. In many cases, as in this country, surplus supplies in the season of greatest plenty are "pickled" for a time and sent forward when fresh supplies are smaller.
Before the war more than 5o% of the eggs, in shell, imported into the United Kingdom came from Russia. That country, as will be seen from the table above, does not now appear among the chief contributing countries shown in the trade returns, and does not in fact send more than 5% of the total. It should be noted, however, that about 11 % of the pre-war supplies came from Poland, Latvia and Lithuania which were then included in Russia, while Estonia and Finland, formerly part of Russia, also sent quotas.
Calculations of egg consumption can only be approximate. In Great Britain the imports, which are accurately recorded, amount (excluding eggs not in shell) to one egg per week per head of the population, and it is estimated that the home supplies would be about equal. On this basis the consumption works out to approxi mately 110 eggs per annum per head of the population.
Similar calculations give the following estimated annual con sumption per head in various countries as follows : Canada, 313; Belgium, 213; U.S.A., 18o; France, 133; Germany, 117; Sweden, 86; Denmark, 75; Norway, 61.
A great impetus has been given to poultry-keeping in recent years both by improving the breed of fowls and by adopting bet ter systems of management. A hindrance to increased consump tion has been the unreliability of a large proportion of the home supply of eggs and the lack of organized marketing. Active steps are now being taken to remedy these defects and to place British eggs on an equality with their imported rivals in regard to regu larity of supply and reliability of quality. (R. H. R.) United States.—The United States ranks first among all coun tries in egg production. Farm chicken egg production in amounted to 456,911,000 doz. eggs and increased to 1,293,662,000 doz. in doz. in 1919 and to 1,913,245,000 doz. in 1924. These totals, based on census figures, do not include eggs produced on premises not classed as farms or the eggs of poultry other than chickens.
Eggs are produced in every county and on nearly 90% of all the farms in the United States. Specialized egg farming has been increasing rapidly in the last few years, but the eggs from such farms still constitute only a small proportion of the total produc tion. General farm flocks are the source of much the greater part of the production, more than 5o% of all eggs coming from the East North Central and the West North Central States, where the farm flocks greatly predominate. Specialized egg farms are most common in the Atlantic coast States, in close proximity to the large consuming markets, and in the Pacific coast States, where climatic conditions are especially favourable.
Eggs produced in the United States are used largely within the country. There is, however, some export business of eggs in the shell. It amounted in 1927 to 28,707,000 dozen. These eggs are shipped mainly to Canada, Cuba and Mexico, with fairly regular quantities going to South American countries, notably Argentina. Smaller quantities of egg products in the form of frozen, dried and canned eggs and egg yolks are also exported, these amounting in 1927 to about 66o,000 pounds.
Imports of shell eggs are small, amounting to about 250,000 doz. in 1927. Imports of egg products are much greater, amount ing in 1927 to the following: dried whole eggs 962,000 lb. ; frozen whole eggs 2,774,000 lb. ; dried yolks 3,525,00o lb. ; frozen yolks 2,7 78,000 lb. ; dried egg albumen 2,960,00o lb. ; frozen, prepared or preserved egg albumen 2,341,000 lb. The shell eggs imported come principally from Canada, while China furnishes the great bulk of the frozen and dried egg products. (R. R. SL.)