A new IFEEDER-supported assessment reveals that while the U.S. egg layer industry depends heavily on imported vitamins and amino acids, the broader concern lies in the global concentration of production, especially in China, combined with limited North American capacity. These nutrients—including methionine, lysine, threonine, tryptophan, and vitamins A, D, E and the B-complex—are essential for maintaining egg production, shell quality, bird health and feed efficiency. 

Although China dominates U.S. import volumes, the core vulnerability stems from its outsized share of global production capacity for many of these nutrients. According to the report: 

• China controls 65% of global lysine production, 86% of threonine, 33% of tryptophan, and up to 97–100% of capacity for several B-vitamins, including B1, B7 and B12. 

• For key vitamins: China holds 53% of global vitamin A capacity, 93% of vitamin D3, and 65% of vitamin E capacity. 

• By contrast, North America contributes only a small fraction of global capacity—about 12% of lysine, 17% of methionine, and 7% of niacin, with no domestic production of most critical vitamins. 

This concentration means that even if U.S. imports were diversified across trading partners, disruptions at the global production level—whether due to geopolitics, plant shutdowns, or raw material constraints—would still rapidly affect U.S. supply. 

Implications for the Layer Industry
Modeling in the report shows that when supplementation is restricted: 

• Methionine shortages create large feed-cost increases, sometimes exceeding 20%. 

• B-complex and vitamin D requirements cannot be met with feed ingredients alone, making layers uniquely exposed. 

• Vitamin A and E reductions increase ration cost and pose risks to long-term hen health and egg output. 

The findings highlight a key message for egg producers and policymakers: the risk is not merely import dependence—it is the structural lack of domestic production and the high global concentration of supply. To protect U.S. egg production and food security, diversification and strategic domestic capacity development may be required. 

Check out the full report.