Finland culls three million hens annually as egg production slows, contributing to supermarket shortages

Around three million hens are culled in Finland each year because their egg production declines, a practice that is now contributing to empty shelves in supermarkets, reports Yle.

The shortage is also driven by rising demand and increased exports, though one major industry player disputes claims of a true shortage. Many farms are currently replacing older hens with new flocks, temporarily reducing supply.

Farms replace aging hens as productivity drops
At a small farm in Kronoby, western Finland, farmer Kimmo Bodbacka prepares to cull his 1,000-hen flock. Though the birds are only 18 months old, their peak laying days are over. “Eggshells thin with age, and feeding them costs more than the eggs bring in,” Bodbacka explains. Older hens also lay larger eggs with weaker shells that may not survive packaging.

Culling is done on-site, with hens euthanized in a carbon dioxide chamber. The process takes just a few hours for Bodbacka’s flock, but larger farms—some housing over 100,000 hens—face weeks of work to clean, disinfect, and reset facilities. “It’s bittersweet,” Bodbacka admits. New hens must be trained to find food, water, and nesting spots—sometimes even guided by hand to prevent them from laying eggs on the floor.

Retailers blame demand, farmers point to low prices
Supermarkets attribute shortages to seasonal spikes in demand, particularly before Easter, and a shift toward free-range production. “Large flocks mean temporary gaps during replacements,” notes Lehtilä of the Finnish Poultry Association.

But the Central Union of Agricultural Producers (MTK) argues that retailers refuse to pay European-level prices for Finnish eggs, making exports more profitable. Finland produces more eggs than it consumes, with exports rising 8% last year—about 20% of total production.

Farmer Bodbacka agrees: “Prices in Sweden and Europe are better. Exporting makes sense.” Production costs in Finland are higher than in Europe, but local egg prices remain lower.

Industry disputes “shortage” claims
Juha-Petri Jokinen, CEO of DAVA Foods Finland—a major egg processor—rejects the idea of a true shortage. “Eggs aren’t widgets; you can’t just ramp up production,” he says. Unlike manufactured goods, live hens can’t be controlled to meet sudden demand. Eggs also can’t be stockpiled: supermarkets must sell them within 28 days of laying.

Finland’s 200 egg farms, mostly in western regions, house about 4.2 million hens. Last year, production hit 81 million kg—a 2.5 million kg increase from 2022. Flocks are typically replaced every two years as productivity wanes.