Poultry farming (and egg production) continues to be one of Colombia’s most dynamic and resilient agricultural sectors, playing a vital role in the country’s food system and nutrition. Eggs — a beloved product across Latin America — have become a daily essential in Colombian homes. As Gonzalo Moreno, executive president of the National Federation of Poultry Farmers of Colombia (Fenavi), often emphasizes: Eggs are not just a source of protein, they are part of everyday life, culture, and economic stability for millions of families.
In recent years, however, something remarkable has happened. Colombia has broken its own production records, with national egg consumption now surpassing one egg per person per day. How did this transformation take shape, and what does it mean for the country’s economy?
A sector on the rise? Gonzalo Moreno, executive president of Fenavi has an exclusive talk with Colombia One
In an exclusive conversation with Colombia One, Gonzalo Moreno, executive president of the National Federation of Poultry Farmers of Colombia (Fenavi), explains that eggs are far more than a nutritional staple, “this year, Colombia will close with around 19.5 billion eggs produced, bringing us to a per capita consumption of 365 eggs per year, the third highest in the world. This growth has been driven by a highly competitive sector that has transferred advances in efficiency, sustainability, and productivity directly to consumers.”
According to Fenavi’s 2024 Annual Report and data cited by journal Portafolio and Map Global Media, Colombia produced approximately 18.019 billion eggs in 2024 — the highest figure in its history. During the same year, the poultry sector also delivered 1.83 million tons of chicken meat, marking a 2.8% growth compared to 2023.
Together, eggs and chicken accounted for nearly 27 trillion Colombian pesos (around US$6.9 billion), according to Avinews and Fenavi. This remarkable growth reflects decades of steady progress. In 1995, the average Colombian consumed around 149 eggs per year. By 2024, consumption rose to approximately 343–365 eggs per person, nearly one egg per person per day.
Moreno also explained to Colombia One that cultural habits have played a defining role in the growth of the industry: “We have worked to debunk the cholesterol myth. Eggs are now understood as a nutritious and cardio-protective food. And Colombia has a unique consumption pattern: We don’t just eat eggs at breakfast — usually two eggs, not one — but also at night. Dishes like rice with egg are part of our cultural identity.”
Chicken consumption has followed a similar trajectory, reaching 36.8 kilograms per person per year, making poultry the most accessible source of animal protein in the country.
How much do eggs cost?
To help ground the discussion in real terms, here are some approximate prices provided by Expatistan — an international cost of living index — and Selina Wamucii, a reliable agricultural trading and data platform that connects small-scale farmers, cooperatives, and local suppliers from low- and middle-income countries to global buyers.
- In Bogota, the Colombian capital, a dozen large eggs currently sell for about COP 9,384, which translates to approximately US$2.34 per dozen.
- In general, the retail price range for eggs in Colombia is between US$1.73 and US$3.84 per kilogram depending on region and quality.
- On a per-dozen basis, one source lists the 12-egg “medium nonorganic” pack in Colombia at about US$2.65 to US$2.79, depending on the region.
So, while egg prices may vary by city, quality, and supply chain costs, Colombians are paying roughly US$2–3 for a dozen eggs — a cost that many households find manageable relative to other animal proteins. Figures reveal that Colombians continue to enjoy one of the most accessible sources of protein in the region and its stable prices help explain why eggs remain a key component of Colombian diets even amid inflationary pressures in other food sectors.
The question that now arises is why Colombian families have increased their egg consumption, thus driving egg production to surge nationwide.
Why Colombians are eating more eggs
Several factors explain this surge in both production and consumption:
- Modernization and efficiency: Colombian poultry farms have become increasingly sophisticated, adopting new genetics, better feed systems, and sustainable production models.
- Improved sanitary standards: Stronger regulations and biosecurity protocols — highlighted in Portafolio’s 2024 agro-economic report — have reduced disease risks, minimized losses, and increased consumer trust.
- Nutrition and education campaigns: National campaigns led by Fenavi have promoted eggs as a healthy, affordable source of protein, emphasizing their vitamin and mineral content.
- Rising incomes and urbanization: As middle-class purchasing power expands, so does the inclusion of eggs in daily meals — from breakfast arepas to quick dinners.
- Government and industry support: Investments in logistics, cold storage, and certification programs have strengthened the entire supply chain, from rural farms to supermarket shelves.
Eggs and poultry as engines of local development in Colombia
Beyond nutrition, eggs and poultry have a significant economic footprint, supporting more than 350,000 direct and indirect jobs. Moreno highlights the deep territorial presence of the sector, “the poultry sector is present in 657 municipalities across Colombia, with more than 5,500 farms. Growth in egg production is directly tied to rural employment and local economic development”, he says.
He also emphasizes the sector’s role in formal employment, a rarity in rural Colombia, “8 in 10 agricultural workers in Colombia are informal, yet our workforce is formal, with contracts and social protections. In many municipalities, the poultry sector is the only formal employer besides the local government.” This formalization contributes not only to better labor standards but also to food security and social development in regions where job opportunities can be limited.
Colombia looks to international markets
As part of the industry’s growth, Colombia One also addressed in the conversation with Moreno another important aspect that has contributed to the sector’s growth and consolidation, which is related to exports. Colombia has already begun exporting eggs to other countries.
As Moreno explains to Colombia One, “last year, Colombia began exporting eggs to Cuba, and today 17% of the eggs consumed in Cuba are Colombian. Our geographic position — with the Port of Cartagena as the leading port in the Caribbean — allows us to reach new markets efficiently. Colombia has everything it needs to consolidate itself as a major agro-exporter of eggs and poultry: Production capacity, competitiveness, and world-class sanitary standards” he highlights.
Moreno notes that Colombia could export up to 1 billion eggs, yet is currently exporting around 17 million, expected to reach 60 million by year-end. “To put it in perspective — Colombia produces 60 million eggs per day. The capacity and quality are already in place to continue growing internationally.”
Challenges ahead
Despite this encouraging outlook, the sector still faces several challenges:
- Rising feed costs, particularly for imported corn and soy, which directly affect production expenses.
- Transportation and logistics inefficiencies, especially in rural regions where road infrastructure is weak.
- Environmental and welfare concerns, as consumers worldwide demand more sustainable and humane production systems.
- Price volatility, which can make producers vulnerable to rapid shifts in both input costs and consumer demand.
Industry leaders are aware of these challenges and continue to advocate for innovation, sustainability, and stronger collaboration with the government to ensure the sector’s long-term stability.
Colombia’s success story in egg production is much more than a statistical achievement, it represents resilience, modernization, and progress. In just three decades, the country went from an average of 149 eggs per person per year to over 340 (and 365 at the end of this year), according to Fenavi data. That growth symbolizes not only improved nutrition but also social and economic advancement.
Every egg on a Colombian table today tells a story: Of local farmers adopting better practices, of rural families finding steady income, and of a nation that continues to invest in food security and inclusive growth. From a humble breakfast staple to a pillar of national development, the Colombian egg has truly come into its own, feeding both the body and the economy, one meal at a time.