Total US egg exports fall in October

Monthly exports of eggs and egg products had been mostly higher in 2011 on a year-over-year basis through September, but fell in October to the equivalent of 22.4 million dozen eggs, 13.3% below 2010 numbers, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The exports were down to Canada, Hong Kong, and Germany and a number of smaller markets, but were partially offset by higher shipments to Japan and Mexico. Exports of both shell eggs and egg products declined in October, with shipments of shell eggs at 11.5 million (down 12%) and shipments of egg products at the equivalent of 10.9 million dozen (down 12%). October shipments were likely impacted by strengthening U.S. prices, according to the USDA. Domestic shell egg prices have continued to strengthen in November and into December. Over the first 10 months of 2011, total egg shipments were 232 million dozen, up 6.7% from the same period in 2010.