New rules for egg marketing: More precise packaging information and stricter product traceability

Government has approved the Rules on the marketing of eggs intended for human consumption. The new provisions mean, for consumers, more precise information on the packaging and stricter traceability of the product from farm to retail, and for producers, the maintenance of the conditions required for exporting eggs to the EU market.

Eggs are classified into Class A, for direct consumption, and Class B, intended for industrial processing. For Class A eggs, the outer part of the packaging must also indicate the method of rearing the laying hens, such as free-range, barn systems, or enriched cages.

Among the new elements is the definition of the Minimum Durability Date (MDD), which becomes the consumption deadline and is set at the time of packing. To guarantee freshness, Class A eggs must be packed no later than 10 days after laying. For egg packaging produced on the country’s territory, labels must be affixed in such a way that they are torn when the package is opened.

Responsibility for enforcing these rules lies with the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA), which will carry out checks along the entire marketing chain, including at border inspection points for imported products.

The regulation sets specific standards for each production system to ensure an optimal rearing environment and reduce sanitary risks. In free-range systems, the maximum permitted density in the outdoor area is 2,500 hens per hectare. This area must be covered with vegetation and located no more than 150 meters from the building exits, ensuring uninterrupted daytime access for the birds. In barn and enriched cage systems, the new rules stipulate mandatory technical equipment, such as individual nesting boxes and resting areas, which help reduce stress and the incidence of diseases.

To support alignment with the new standards, under the AGGRI project financed by the World Bank, poultry farms are eligible for grants aimed at biosecurity measures and the installation of modern housing systems, such as enriched cages or alternative systems. The call for project proposals is open until 29 May 2026 and offers grants of up to 1 million dollars, which may cover up to 50% of the value of eligible investments.

According to ANSA data, in the Republic of Moldova there are 13 authorized egg collection units for human consumption and 13 laying-hen farms. In 2025, 636.4 million eggs were produced in the country, 1.4% more than in 2024. Thus, domestic production covers the population’s consumption needs.

The Republic of Moldova has been entitled to export eggs to the EU market since April 2024.