eggs

" China is the world's largest egg market. Total output, 80％ of which are hen eggs, is increasing year after year. In 2001 it reached over 23 million tons or 395,200 million pieces, accounting for over 40％ of the global total. The output per capita in the same year was 18.07 kg (300 pieces), while the world average was only 9 kg (150 pieces). The annual uptake per capita is already quite high, leaving only a small volume available for export. The establishment of large scale battery farms has pushed egg production in China to 40 per cent of the world total. In turn increased interest in egg-based foods, such as dairy products, pre-packaged foods and bakery have all boosted per capita consumption to amongst the highest in the world. Strong economic growth, increased supply and favorable prices have lead to increased consumption of eggs in China. Now China is the world's second largest per capita egg consumer after Japan, with each person in the country consuming 292 eggs on a yearly basis. However, while per capita consumption is expected to fall in Japan and most other countries, China's per capita consumption is steadily increasing."