Iowa Egg Council Board of Directors

Executive Committee

• Brett Pickar, Chairman
• Rich Hall, Vice Chairman
• Evan Blom, Secretary/Treasurer

Board Members

• Blair Van Zetten
• Mark Friedow
• Bruce Dooyema
• Jerry Fisher

Ex-Officio Members

• Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
• Mark Fischer, Iowa Department of Economic Development
• Dr. Hongwei Xin, Iowa State University

Iowa Egg Council Staff Members

• Kevin S. Vinchattle, Executive Director
• Rita Scheiring, Office Manager/Comptroller
• Lisa Wright, Administrative Assistant
• Anna Conradt, NPIP Coordinator

 • Currently, the top ten egg producing states (ranked by number of layers represented in thousands) are:

• The five largest egg producing states represent approximately 50 percent of all U.S. layers.

• U.S. egg production during February 2008 was 6.05 billion table eggs, which is up from 5.94 billion table eggs produced during February of last year.

• Presently, there are 60 egg producing companies with 1 million plus layers and 12 companies with greater than 5 million layers.**

• To date, there are approximately 245 egg producing companies with flocks of 75,000 hens or more. These companies represent about 95 percent of all the layers in the United States.** In 1987 there were around 2,500 operations.**(Number of operations in 1987 include some contract farms and divisions.)

• In 2007, the average number of egg-type laying hens in the United States was 284 million. Flock size for March 1, 2008 was 282 million layers; down from 288 million a year ago. Rate of lay per day on March 1, 2008 averaged 72.3 eggs per 100 layers, up slightly from a year ago.

• Of the 211.1 million cases (estimated) of shell eggs produced in 2007:

66 million cases (31.3%) were further processed (for foodservice, manufacturing, retail & export);

124.6 million cases (59%) went to retail;

19 million cases (9%) went for foodservice use; and

1.5 million cases (0.7%) were exported.

• For 2007 exports of processed egg products continued to soar, rising 8 percent for the year to $74.2 million, while table egg export volume increased 42 percent to 78.7 million dozen, with a value of $63.5 million, up 74 percent.

Exports of processed egg products to Japan, the single largest market, showed some slippage, falling 19 percent, to $25.3 million. Japan accounted for 34 percent of the total value of exports in 2007. Helping boost the bottom line, however, was Mexico, thanks in part to USAPEEC’s efforts there to promote the use of U.S. egg products in commercial applications and food service. Shipments to Mexico shot upward by 33 percent, to $9.5 million. Sales to Canada, another leading market, increased 2 percent to $7.9 million.

Hong Kong remained, as it has for years, the top market for U.S. table eggs. Shipments to Hong Kong of 25.4 million dozen were up 20 percent last year, and the value of $19.0 million increased significantly by 40 percent.***

Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, **American Egg Board, ***USAPEEC

The Profitable Power of Eggs!

Don’t forget the eggs! Research shows that eggs are one of the most profitable items in any grocery store. Gross margins in the egg category have steadily risen to its highest point in more than 20 years due to high turns, efficient use of case space, and a low-cost per serving.

Retailers can leverage egg sales and profit by promoting eggs frequently, generating impulse sales, promoting a variety of egg types and specialties, cross-promoting eggs with other complimentary items, and by creating and executing an effective annual promotion calendar.

Eggs can be found in 93% of all U.S. households. Today’s consumer chooses eggs for their versatility, nutritional benefits, and low-cost per serving. No other protein source can feed a family of four for less than $1.50, approximately $0.15 per serving!

Current trends reveal that consumers are cooking and eating at home more these days. As a result, customers are seeking ideas and information from their local grocery stores on delicious, nutritious, and affordable meals, which feature eggs as a major ingredient. The Iowa Egg Council has collection of recipes and photos available for retail use.  

Eggs are rich in nutrients, containing 13 essential vitamins and minerals. A large egg contains more than six grams of the highest quality protein available. Egg protein serves as the standard by which all other protein sources are measured. The protein found in eggs provides long-lasting energy and has been shown to decrease hunger and assist in weight management. A large egg contains only 70 calories and 4.5 grams of fat, 7% of the daily value.

Egg costs typically follow a predictable seasonal pattern with higher costs November through Easter, and lower costs during late spring and summer months. Creating an annual promotion calendar can help retailers plan and promote eggs effectively throughout the year.

Consider these upcoming promotional opportunities: celebrate National Egg Month in May-highlight the versatility of eggs, breakfast for dad for Father’s Day in June, in addition to deviled egg and egg salad recipe handouts for summer gatherings.

Eggs serve as one of the most high impact promotional items in grocery stores. Retailers can leverage opportunities with eggs by increasing messaging to shoppers about the balanced diets and balanced budgets that eggs can provide to customers.

For more information on how to increase egg promotions and obtain egg recipe ideas and tips, please contact the Iowa Egg Council at 1-877-IOWAEGG or visit www.iowaegg.org.

Contact: Kevin S. Vinchattle, Executive Director, 515-727-4701 Ext. 13