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2120 final report.pdf - Agra CEAS Consulting

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THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE VARIOUS SYSTEMS TO KEEP LAYING HENSA1.2.2.1. Main producers/packersThe Belgian packing industry is made up of some 150 packers. The majority of the larger packersoperate solely as packers but two of the largest (Belovo and Lodewickx) are also egg processors.One of the larger packers, Euroei also has extensive production capacity estimated at some 200,000layers, some 75% of all eggs packed. The sector is relatively unconcentrated with the top 4companies estimated to pack some 25-30% of Belgian egg output and the top 8 companies packingbetween 40-50% of output. Data on the market shares for the top eight companies was not availableand Table A1.6 therefore presents the largest eight packers in alphabetical order. It is estimated thatthe next 40 companies' pack a further 30% of output with the balance being accounted for byapproximately 100 mainly farm based units.Table A1.6: Belgium, top 8 egg packersRankn.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.CompanyBelovoDe KeysersEuroeiHof ter LindKempische EierhandelLodewickxLouwersVerhelstA1.2.2.2. Main production systemsThe predominant mode of production is in traditional caged systems which accounted for 95.5% ofthe number of laying hens in 2001. In this year 2.8% of hens were held deep litter systems(grundhuisvesting) although this percentage is estimated to have risen to some 8% in 2003. Freerange systems account for 1.2% of hens in 2001 and there was almost no production percherysystems (volierehuisvesting). Since the early 1990s the share of hens in alternative productionsystems has risen gradually from a base of 1.75% in 1991. We understand that there are only sixproducers of organic eggs. It was indicated that there was no use of enriched cages except on anexperimental basis.118

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