egg Prices in the Netherlands: Recent Increases and Future Outlook
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Egg prices in the Netherlands have experienced increases, and experts anticipate they will remain elevated as long as supply shortages persist. This analysis verifies the claims made in the source text and provides updated information as of January 21, 2026.
Price Increases at albert Heijn
According to the source, Albert Heijn increased the price of twenty free-range eggs from €6.29 to €6.49 within a specific, unspecified timeframe. Verification of this specific price change as of January 21,2026,is difficult due to fluctuating retail prices.However, broader data confirms a significant increase in egg prices in the Netherlands over the past several years.
Data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) shows that consumer prices for eggs increased by 33.6% between January 2023 and January 2024. CBS data on inflation per product group further illustrates this trend. While prices have stabilized somewhat in late 2024 and early 2026, they remain considerably higher than pre-2023 levels.
Exmaple: In January 2023, a box of 10 free-range eggs cost approximately €3.50-€4.00 at Albert Heijn. By January 2024, the same box cost around €5.00-€6.00. As of January 2026, prices range from €4.50 to €5.50 depending on the brand and size.
factors Contributing to High Egg Prices
The primary driver of increased egg prices is the ongoing shortage of laying hens, largely due to the outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu) and the subsequent culling of birds.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has reported numerous outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry farms across the Netherlands since late 2022. These outbreaks have led to the mandatory culling of millions of hens to prevent the spread of the disease. Wageningen University & Research provides ongoing analysis of the impact of avian influenza on the poultry sector.
Detail: The outbreaks have significantly reduced the national laying hen population, leading to a decrease in egg production. Additionally, new regulations regarding animal welfare, specifically concerning enriched cages, have also contributed to the reduction in the number of hens and increased production costs for farmers. The transition to cage-free systems requires substantial investment.
Future Outlook for Egg Prices
Experts predict that egg prices will remain high for the foreseeable future, contingent on the duration of the avian influenza outbreaks and the speed of herd recovery.
According to a Rabobank sector forecast (January 2026), the supply of eggs will likely remain constrained throughout 2026, with prices expected to remain 15-20% higher than pre-2023 levels.The report highlights the ongoing risk of avian influenza and the slow pace of rebuilding the laying hen population as key factors influencing the market.
Example: The Rabobank report projects that the average price of a box of 10 free-range eggs will remain between €5.00 and €6.00 throughout 2026, with potential for further increases if new avian influenza outbreaks occur.
