Document type: article published in Food & AgriBusiness
Author: Sunita van Es-Sahota
Abstract in French (translation): The use of in-ovo sex determination technology continues to grow rapidly in the egg industry: according to a new market penetration report published by Innovate Animal Ag, approximately 40% of the European Union’s commercial laying hen flock now comes from this technology.
This represents a 6-percentage-point increase from 2025 and underscores the growing trend away from the culling of male day-old chicks. The report estimates that, since 2021, more than 281 million male embryos have been identified and eliminated before hatching worldwide, while approximately 740 million hatching eggs have been processed using in-ovo sexing systems over the past five years. Europe remains the leading market, with a production capacity now exceeding the equivalent of 100 million female chicks per year.
Switzerland and Norway are at the forefront of this transition
Several countries are on track to fully adopt this technology. Switzerland has already achieved an estimated market penetration of between 85 and 100 percent, while Norway has surpassed 50 percent and is on track to completely eliminate the culling of male chicks by 2027.
New markets are emerging
Outside of Europe, adoption is beginning to accelerate. The United States now has six commercial in-ovo sexing facilities in operation, with egg producers representing more than 4% of the national laying hen flock having committed to making the transition as existing flocks are replaced. Australia and Brazil have also entered the market, signaling growing international interest in this technology.
Global Outlook
Looking ahead, Innovate Animal Ag anticipates continued growth, driven by the upcoming ban on the culling of male chicks in Italy and by growing demand from retailers and consumers for higher animal welfare standards. The organization projects that in-ovo sexing could account for approximately 51% of the EU’s commercial laying hen flock by 2028.
“In-ovo sexing has evolved from a niche innovation to a scalable commercial solution,” the report concludes, highlighting that improved profitability, increased hatchery capacity, and growing regulatory support are the main drivers of its adoption.
Preview:
The use of in-ovo sexing technology continues to expand rapidly across the egg industry, with an estimated 40% of the European Union’s commercial layer flock now produced using the technology, according to a new market penetration report from Innovate Animal Ag. This represents a 6 percentage point increase compared with 2025 and underscores the growing shift away from day-old male chick culling. The report estimates that more than 281 million male embryos have been identified and removed before hatching globally since 2021, while approximately 740 million hatching eggs have been processed through in-ovo sexing systems over the past 5 years. Europe remains the leading market, with production capacity now exceeding the equivalent of 100 million female chicks annually.
Switzerland and Norway are leading the transition
Several countries are approaching full adoption. Switzerland has already reached an estimated 85-100% market penetration, while Norway has surpassed 50% and is on track to phase out male chick culling completely by 2027.
New markets emerging
Outside Europe, adoption is beginning to accelerate. The United States now has 6 commercial in-ovo sexing installations in operation, with egg producers representing more than 4% of the national layer flock committing to transition as existing flocks are replaced.
Australia and Brazil have also entered the market, signalling growing international interest in the technology.
Global outlook
Looking ahead, Innovate Animal Ag expects further growth driven by Italy’s upcoming ban on male chick culling and increasing retailer and consumer demand for higher animal welfare standards. The organisation forecasts that in-ovo sexing could account for around 51% of the EU commercial layer flock by 2028.
« In-ovo sexing has moved from a niche innovation to a scalable commercial solution, » the report concludes, pointing to improving economics, expanding hatchery capacity and growing regulatory support as key drivers of adoption.
