2120 final report.pdf - Agra CEAS Consulting

APPENDIX 2: THIRD COUNTRIES100%90%80%70%60%50%40%30%20%10%0%1990 1995 2000Figure A2.6: Trend in distribution of table eggs among market outlets 1990-2000Source - American egg boardretail processing foodservice exportHistorically, egg production in the U.S. has responded to a variety of influences. Among others,changes in consumer tastes and preferences have had an especially profound influence. Looking backover the past several decades, at least four major swings in consumer demand can be identified.During World War II, when foodstuffs were in tight supply and food rationing was in effect, eggproduction expanded sharply. Eggs offered a convenient, relatively low-cost source of protein. Thiswas followed by changes in consumer diets in the 1950s and 1960s, including the move to lighter,more convenient breakfasts. This caused per capita consumption to stabilise at around 320 eggs peryear. This was followed in the 1970s and 1980s by growing concerns over the link between diet andhealth and the role of cholesterol, leading to a steady decline in per capita egg consumption. Morerecently, Americans have relaxed their restrictive attitude toward the consumption of fats andcholesterol, prompted in part by the popularity of low carbohydrate diets. As a result of this changein attitude, the per capita consumption of eggs (shell and processed) has risen about 7% since the late1990s (see Figure A2.7).368