National rules

Can you sell backyard eggs in New Zealand?

Up to 100 female birds, all eggs sold yourself direct to consumers: no egg risk management programme (Schedule 2), but whether a chicken-producer one applies is unresolved; ask MPI. Selling to shops or cafés needs one.

Read from 7 official sources35 passages quotedChecked October 28, 2026

At a glance

Licence

Depends how you sell

Small-flock line

100 female birds or fewer, all eggs sold direct, none for resale

Farmers markets

With conditions

Cartons

Not stated

In plain English

Schedule 2 of the Animal Products Regulations 2021 says a risk management programme is not required for the production, processing or sale of eggs by a primary processor of eggs who produces them from 100 female birds or fewer (all species included), sells all eggs meant for human or animal consumption direct to the consumer or end user, and sells none to anyone for further sale. MPI counts all your female birds on the laying farm, except female birds whose eggs are not meant for consumption, such as pet budgies or birds specifically grown for meat production. Separately, a chicken producer must operate under a registered programme (reg 40A(1)); reg 3A counts producers of layer chickens and leaves out only people who farm 100 chickens or fewer and sell chickens or fertile eggs direct, so whether a small seller of table eggs needs one was not established. Ask MPI. Otherwise MPI says most primary processors of eggs need a registered, independently verified programme, registered with MPI before you start operating, and that the exemption does not exempt you from any other legal requirements.

A sourced reading of the rules in New Zealand, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) before you sell.

Do you need a licence?

Depends on how and how much you sell100 female birds or fewer, all eggs sold direct, none for resale
  • Produce the eggs from 100 female birds or fewer, all species included (Schedule 2 cl 1(a)); MPI counts all your female birds on the laying farm, except female birds whose eggs are not meant for consumption, such as pet budgies or birds specifically grown for meat production.
  • Sell all eggs meant for human or animal consumption direct to the consumer or end user (cl 1(b)); MPI says you must sell them yourself, normally at the laying farm, a farmers' market or by delivering them yourself.
  • Sell none of the eggs to anyone for further sale (cl 1(c)); MPI gives a café, shop or other third parties as examples.
  • Without the exemption, MPI says the programme must be registered with MPI before you start operating and then checked by an MPI-recognised verifier.
  • MPI says the exemption does not exempt you from any other legal requirements.
  • Open point: a chicken producer must operate under a registered risk management programme (reg 40A(1)), and reg 3A counts producers of layer chickens; reg 3A(2) leaves out only people who farm 100 chickens or fewer and sell chickens or fertile eggs direct. Whether a small seller of table eggs is left out was not established; ask MPI.
The exact wording
“produces eggs for sale for human or animal consumption from 100 female birds or fewer (all species included); and”

Where you can sell

From home or the farm

With conditions

Schedule 2 removes the need for a risk management programme to produce, process and sell the eggs only if all three of its conditions are met: 100 female birds or fewer (all species included), all eggs sold direct to the consumer or end user, and none sold for further sale. MPI says you must sell the eggs yourself, normally at the laying farm, a farmers' market or by delivering them yourself, and that the exemption does not exempt you from any other legal requirements.

Farmers markets

With conditions

The same exemption conditions apply. MPI names a farmers' market as a usual place to sell, but says you cannot have someone else sell your eggs for you at farmers' markets and claim the exemption.

Stores and restaurants

Needs a licence or isn't exempt

Selling to anyone for further sale ends the exemption: MPI gives a café or shop as examples, and says you cannot claim it if your buyer on-sells the eggs or uses them to prepare food that is sold. MPI says most primary processors of eggs need a registered, independently verified risk management programme to trade eggs.

Cartons, labels and handling

Cartons

No carton rule for egg producers was found in the MPI egg pages and guide read. In its section on re-packaging eggs, MPI's 2020 shell-egg guide says recycled egg packaging may be used only if visibly clean, with any false or misleading information, including other producers' names or contact details, completely removed or defaced.

Refrigeration

MPI's shell-egg guide (August 2020) says there is no legally required temperature for storing eggs, and advises keeping them somewhere cool (refrigerated if possible) and out of direct sunlight during storage, display and transport.

The label must show

  • No label if the eggs are sold unpackaged, packed in front of the buyer, sold where they were laid or sold at a fundraising event; if a customer asks, give storage directions (and nutrition information if you make a claim)
  • Eggs that need a label: the general labelling rules for the carton, tray or wrapper, including a nutrition information panel; the number of eggs may be given instead of weight
  • MPI's guide lists for labelled retail shell eggs: the name (eggs), a lot identification, the supplier's name and street address in New Zealand or Australia, a best before date, a nutrition information panel, a storage statement, and the number of eggs, net weight or volume

Grading

Not stated in the sources we read.

Washing

Not stated in the sources we read.

Pricing your dozen? The egg price calculator works it out from your feed bill.

What changed recently

  1. 2026-06-30 · Minor amendments to the Code of Welfare: Layer Hens (2018) took effect (New Zealand Gazette notice 2026-sl3545). Source
Keeping chickens in New Zealand? →Registration, bird-flu housing powers and who decides where hens can live, on their own page.Registration: conditions

Common questions

Can I sell eggs from my backyard chickens in New Zealand, and do I need a licence?
Up to 100 female birds, all eggs sold yourself direct to consumers: no egg risk management programme (Schedule 2), but whether a chicken-producer one applies is unresolved; ask MPI. Selling to shops or cafés needs one. Small-flock line: 100 female birds or fewer, all eggs sold direct, none for resale. The conditions, and the law they come from, are on this page.
Can I sell eggs at a farmers market in New Zealand?
Allowed with conditions. The same exemption conditions apply. MPI names a farmers' market as a usual place to sell, but says you cannot have someone else sell your eggs for you at farmers' markets and claim the exemption.
Can I reuse egg cartons in New Zealand?
The sources we read don't settle this. In short: No carton rule for egg producers was found in the MPI egg pages and guide read. In its section on re-packaging eggs, MPI's 2020 shell-egg guide says recycled egg packaging may be used only if visibly clean, with any false or misleading information, including other producers' names or contact details, completely removed or defaced. Ask the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) before reusing cartons for eggs you sell.
What has to be on the carton label in New Zealand?
No label if the eggs are sold unpackaged, packed in front of the buyer, sold where they were laid or sold at a fundraising event; if a customer asks, give storage directions (and nutrition information if you make a claim), Eggs that need a label: the general labelling rules for the carton, tray or wrapper, including a nutrition information panel; the number of eggs may be given instead of weight, MPI's guide lists for labelled retail shell eggs: the name (eggs), a lot identification, the supplier's name and street address in New Zealand or Australia, a best before date, a nutrition information panel, a storage statement, and the number of eggs, net weight or volume. The rule reads: "In general, you must label all packaged eggs and egg products. However, the Food Standards Code allows some exemptions to this rule, provided you can provide some information to customers."
Do eggs I sell in New Zealand have to be kept cold?
In short: MPI's shell-egg guide (August 2020) says there is no legally required temperature for storing eggs, and advises keeping them somewhere cool (refrigerated if possible) and out of direct sunlight during storage, display and transport.
Sources
Read the 35 passages this page is built on
  • “Animal Products Regulations 2021 (SL 2021/400) (as at 06 October 2022) Schedule 2 Product-specific exemptions from requirement to have registered risk management programme”

    SL 2021/400, Schedule 2 cl 1 · read 2026-10-28

  • “A risk management programme is not required for the production, processing, or sale of eggs by a primary processor of eggs who—”

    SL 2021/400, Schedule 2 cl 1 · read 2026-10-28

  • “produces eggs for sale for human or animal consumption from 100 female birds or fewer (all species included); and”

    SL 2021/400, Schedule 2 cl 1 · read 2026-10-28

  • “sells all eggs that are intended for human or animal consumption direct to the consumer or end user; and”

    SL 2021/400, Schedule 2 cl 1 · read 2026-10-28

  • “does not sell any of the eggs to any person for further sale.”

    SL 2021/400, Schedule 2 cl 1 · read 2026-10-28

  • “primary processor means a person who, for reward (otherwise than as an employee) or for purposes of trade,—”

    1999 No 93, s 4 · read 2026-10-28

  • “removes or extracts or harvests any animal material from live animals for the purpose of processing for human or animal consumption; or”

    1999 No 93, s 4 · read 2026-10-28

  • “Under the Animal Products Act 1999 and Animal Product Regulations 2021, most primary processors of eggs need to have a registered and independently verified risk management programme (RMP). If they don't have an RMP, they can't trade any eggs.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, October 16, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “Some smaller egg producers may be eligible for an exemption from having an RMP (Schedule 2 of the Animal Products Regulations 2021). But exemption from the RMP requirement does not exempt you from any other legal requirements.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, October 16, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “do not sell any eggs to any person for further sale (such as a café, shop, or other third parties).”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, October 16, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “All your female birds on the laying farm are counted as part of the 100 birds. This is regardless of:”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, October 16, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “If a person you sell your eggs to on-sells or uses them to prepare food that is sold to someone else, you cannot claim the exemption.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, October 16, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “You must sell the eggs yourself. This is normally done at the laying farm, a farmers' market, or by delivering the eggs yourself to the consumer. You cannot have someone else sell your eggs for you at farmers' markets (or any other places) and claim the exemption.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, October 16, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “Your RMP needs to be registered with MPI before you can start operating.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, October 16, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “Once the RMP is registered, you must get it checked by an MPI-recognised verifier.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, October 16, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “Last reviewed: 16.08.23”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, October 16, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “In general, you must label all packaged eggs and egg products. However, the Food Standards Code allows some exemptions to this rule, provided you can provide some information to customers.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, December 10, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “You don't need to label eggs if you: sell eggs without packaging pack eggs in front of the buyer sell eggs where they are laid sell eggs at a fundraising event.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, December 10, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “However, if a customer asks, you need to provide: storage directions nutrition information (if you are making a claim about the eggs).”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, December 10, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “If your eggs need a label, you must follow the general labelling rules for your carton, tray, wrapper or any other packaging. This includes a nutrition information panel (NIP) on the package.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, December 10, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “Instead of giving content by weight, you may give the number of eggs.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, December 10, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “Part 1 of the FSC gives general requirements that must be followed for all food. Part 1.2 has labelling requirements.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, January 22, 2026 · read 2026-10-28

  • “What must be on the labels attached to retail shell eggs? • The name of the food – eggs. • A lot identification: For example, a date mark and the premises where the food was packed or prepared.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, April 4, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “The supplier’s name and business (street) address in New Zealand or Australia. “Supplier” includes the packer, manufacturer or vendor. • Best before date. • Nutrition Information Panel (NIP). • A statement on how eggs should be stored. • Number of eggs, net weight or volume.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, April 4, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “NOTE: If using recycled egg packaging, you must completely remove or deface any false or misleading information (including any names or contact details of other producers). Only use recycled packaging if it is visibly clean.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, April 4, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “August 2020”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, April 4, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “There is no legally required temperature for storing eggs, but they will have a longer shelf life if kept cool.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, April 4, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “Keep eggs somewhere cool (refrigerated if possible) and out of direct sunlight during storage, display and transport.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, April 4, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “Version as at 6 April 2023 Animal Products Act 1999”

    1999 No 93, s 4 · read 2026-10-28

  • “Exceptions include female birds whose eggs are not meant for consumption, such as pet budgies or birds specifically grown for meat production.”

    Archived copy of mpi.govt.nz, October 16, 2025 · read 2026-10-28

  • “chicken producer means a person who produces 1 or more of the following:”

    SL 2021/400, regs 3, 3A and 40A · read 2026-10-28

  • “breeder chickens: (b) broiler (meat) chickens: (c) day-old chicks: (d) fertile eggs: (e) layer chickens: (f) rearer laying chickens.”

    SL 2021/400, regs 3, 3A and 40A · read 2026-10-28

  • “However, subclause (1) does not include a person who— (a) farms 100 chickens or fewer; and (b) sells chickens or fertile eggs direct to the consumer or end user.”

    SL 2021/400, regs 3, 3A and 40A · read 2026-10-28

  • “layer chicken means a chicken that produces non-fertile eggs for primary processing”

    SL 2021/400, regs 3, 3A and 40A · read 2026-10-28

  • “A chicken producer must operate under a registered risk management programme.”

    SL 2021/400, regs 3, 3A and 40A · read 2026-10-28

What we couldn't confirm
  • The Animal Products Regulations 2021 were read in the consolidated version as at 6 October 2022, the latest version shown in an Internet Archive copy of the official legislation site of 17 April 2025; that page also warned that some amendments had not yet been incorporated, and later amendments were not checked.
  • Whether a keeper of 100 or fewer hens who sells table eggs is a 'chicken producer' who must also operate under a risk management programme was not established: regulation 3A counts producers of layer chickens and leaves out only people who farm 100 chickens or fewer and sell chickens or fertile eggs direct. Ask MPI.
  • Whether a seller covered by the Schedule 2 exemption needs any registration under the Food Act 2014 was not established from the sections read (Food Act 2014 ss 5, 6, 28 to 31 and 349).
  • Whether a café or restaurant that buys eggs to cook with counts as an 'end user' under Schedule 2 was not established from its words; MPI's page treats a café as a buyer for further sale.
  • No egg grading or washing rule and no carton rule for small direct sellers was found in the texts read (Animal Products Regulations 2021, Schedule 2; MPI pages on egg food safety requirements, risk management programmes and labelling; MPI shell-egg guide of August 2020).
  • The labelling points come from MPI pages and its 2020 guide on the Food Standards Code; the Code's own text was not read.
  • The official legislation and MPI websites blocked automated reading in October 2026, so their texts were read from Internet Archive copies (dates shown with each source).
  • The storage-temperature point rests only on MPI's August 2020 shell-egg guide (still linked from MPI's labelling page in a December 2025 copy), which predates the Animal Products Regulations 2021; no legal text on egg storage temperatures, such as an Animal Products notice or the Food Standards Code, was read.

More countries in Oceania

Elsewhere in the world

Legal where you live? Then keep the books.

PoultryPal's sales ledger tracks customers, dozens and payments next to your feed costs, so you know your margin and not just your egg count. Premium includes financial tracking and the sales ledger. Free to download on iOS and Android.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play