US eggs are back in Singapore after 20 years — at up to S$14.80 a dozen

That changed earlier this year when US agricultural officials and the Singapore Food Agency reached agreement on export certification standards and systems for tracing eggs during disease outbreaks.

For now, however, the American imports are more likely to compete at the premium end of the market than replace everyday eggs from Singapore or Malaysia.

Yukako Matsuka, director at Singapore-based consulting firm YCP, said Contented Hen’s organic eggs, at about S$1.23 each, were cheaper than some organic options from Australia and New Zealand.

“At this price point, US eggs are better viewed as an additional premium choice rather than a mass-market substitute for regular eggs,” she said.

“Demand is therefore likely to develop gradually among consumers who place greater value on animal welfare, organic certification and traceability.”

Some shoppers are already taking notice.

Homemaker Ashley Lee, 44, swapped a S$19.80 carton of Australian organic eggs for the American option on September 5.

“It’s a lot cheaper,” she told The Straits Times. “I pay a lot of attention to where my food comes from and what the chickens are fed.”

Software engineer Cindy Ong, 30, was less convinced, saying she would probably buy the US eggs only on promotion.

“It’s a bit expensive,” she said.

Contented Hen eggs are being imported by N&N Agriculture under a long-term agreement to supply FairPrice.

More US eggs could soon follow, with another Singapore importer, Kai Young Huat, in talks to supply eggs from a separate American farm to FairPrice and Sheng Siong.

Representatives from eight US egg producers also visited Singapore earlier this month to meet importers, retailers and food manufacturers.

Sean Delano, executive director of business development at Mid-States Specialty Eggs, said its eggs take about 20 to 24 days to reach Singapore by sea.

“It takes a little longer to get here, but they are refrigerated, so the quality stays,” he said.

“We can still provide a fresh egg because it’s under that refrigeration while it travels.”

Singapore’s egg supply exceeded 2.2 billion in 2025, with Malaysia remaining its biggest overseas supplier.

Local farms currently meet less than 35 per cent of Singapore’s egg demand, underscoring the value of adding more overseas sources.