By Charlotte Reid 
Eggs became the second most important food in the Argentine diet.
Thirty per cent of Argentine households increased their consumption in the last year.
Egg consumption reached a historic high of 380 units per person this year. Eggs are a source of protein that, in addition to their nutritional benefits, serve as a substitute for meat, which is unaffordable for many Argentinians.
This is according to the 2025 Egg Consumption Study in Argentina conducted by the Argentine Chamber of Poultry Producers and Industrialists (CAPIA). The study is based on 1,012 surveys conducted between June and July in CABA, GBA and other major cities in the country.
Javier Prida, president of CAPIA, said that eggs are the second most important food in the Argentine diet, surpassed only by red meat and ahead of milk.
Eggs are the cheapest protein option.
‘Despite competition from proteins such as lentils and chicken, eggs are the first choice for consumers looking for alternatives to meat,’ the study states.
Growth in consumption and change in purchasing habits
Thirty per cent of Argentine households increased their consumption in the last year, exceeding the 15 per cent recorded in 2023. Average consumption per household is between six and 12 units per week, and the main reason for this increase is their affordability, as they are the cheapest protein option.
It is worth mentioning in this regard that, according to the Argentine Beef Promotion Institute (IPCVA), beef has increased by 31.4% so far this year, above inflation, and has accumulated a rise of 56.6% in the last 12 months. Currently, the average price per kilo is £12,141.
The study recorded a 10% increase in the number of households consuming between 12 and 18 eggs per week, showing that there is a segment that has significantly increased its intake.
Consumption grew most notably among men and the 20-35 and 50-65 age groups, who drove the trend.
Thirty-nine per cent of consumers include eggs in their packed lunches for work, representing a 17% increase compared to 2023, associated with the return to in-person work.
‘The main motivation for the increase in consumption is dietary habits and the accessibility of eggs as an economical and accessible protein,’ states the CAPIA report.
The main motivation for the increase in consumption is dietary habits and accessibility.
Consumption preferences have undergone notable changes. Hard-boiled eggs now rank first, after having been in seventh place, while egg salads rose from ninth to second place. In contrast, fried eggs fell to eighth place on the list of preferences.
Currently, 23% of consumers choose to buy eggs at greengrocers for reasons of convenience, and proximity is no longer the main purchasing criterion.
Production
More than 18.2 billion eggs are produced each year, supplying the domestic market and exporting to more than 65 destinations.
Prida stated that eggs are ‘the most complete, healthy, environmentally friendly, versatile and economical protein available to consumers in Argentina.’
The sector has almost 60 million laying hens, generates more than 30,000 jobs and has a turnover of more than USD 2.2 billion, with exports of around USD 50 million. In turn, 571 eggs are produced every second throughout the country.
Smuggling alert
Months ago, CAPIA had warned about the daily entry of 550,000 smuggled eggs into the country. According to the organisation, most of the products originate in Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, and there has been a steady increase for approximately two months. One of the elements that made it possible to detect the magnitude of the smuggling was the type of packaging used. The concern covers economic, health and social aspects.
That is why, together with the government, a monitoring commission was created with the national director of territorial security to address the problem and coordinate with the authorities, the organisation said.
CAPIA pointed out that foreign goods evade taxes, food safety controls and labour costs, among other factors. This situation creates unfair competition that mainly affects smaller-scale producers, who operate on tight margins.