Below, a manufacturer of egg-breaking machines outlines the development prospects for this sector in China. Since the launch of reform and opening-up, China’s total egg production has continued to rise, the industrial structure of the egg-breaking machine sector has been adjusted and optimised, a strategic industrial layout has gradually taken shape, and the sector’s competitiveness has been significantly enhanced. However, the development of China’s egg-breaking machine industry for laying hens still faces a number of prominent issues. Building upon a summary of the current status and achievements of China’s egg-beater industry, this article focuses on the problems encountered in egg-beater production and the development of related industries, whilst also putting forward policy recommendations to promote the sustainable development of China’s egg-beater industry. Stable Development of the Egg-Cracking Machine Industry Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the country’s egg production has shown an upward trend, and China has become the world’s largest egg producer. In 2008, total egg production reached 229,687 metric tonnes (accounting for approximately 40 per cent of global output), representing 84.65 times and 8.70 times the total egg production in 1949 and 1978, respectively. In tandem with the increase in egg production, the output value of the egg-breaking machine industry has also risen.

Following the Breakthrough of the 100 billion yuan mark in 2003, a vast industrial chain with an annual output value exceeding 350 billion yuan has been formed, encompassing sectors such as poultry farming, egg breaking, egg retail, feed, and veterinary medicines and vaccines. With the rapid development of the livestock sector, the structure of China’s egg-breaking machine industry has been adjusted and optimised, leading to improvements in both the efficiency and standard of the industry. ① The structure of the egg industry is continuously being optimised. In recent years, the proportion of chicken eggs in China’s total egg production has stabilised at around 85 per cent, whilst other egg types account for approximately 15 per cent (of which duck eggs make up 12 per cent, and goose and quail eggs 3 per cent). The development and introduction of new breeds have promoted further optimisation of the egg structure and accelerated the shift in egg production from a traditional quantity-driven model to a profit-driven one. Product structures are becoming increasingly diverse. Overall, the structure of egg consumption among Chinese residents remains relatively simple, with fresh eggs predominating. Consumption of fresh eggs accounts for 90 per cent of China’s total egg production, whilst the processing conversion rate stands at merely 0.26 per cent; the remaining 9.74 per cent is either exported as fresh eggs or lost. However, with advances in science and technology and shifts in consumer preferences, China’s egg-processing industry is steadily moving towards marketisation, and the structure of egg products is continuously being optimised and diversified. Firstly, the functional diversity of fresh egg products is expanding. In addition to basic nutritional value, consumers are increasingly seeking functional benefits from fresh eggs, leading to an expanded supply of fresh eggs such as those enriched with iodine, selenium, high-energy content and low cholesterol. Secondly, the safety standards of fresh eggs are gradually improving, with safe eggs proving particularly popular amongst high-income consumers.