Arabfields, Naïla Mokhtari, Correspondent, São Paulo, Brasil — A Brazilian egg producer is turning to robotics and advanced processing equipment to increase efficiency and meet growing demand, highlighting how automation is reshaping the country’s poultry industry.

Naturovos, based in Salvador do Sul in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, has introduced a robotic system designed to handle eggs and stack logistical materials with greater precision. The technology aims to reduce handling risks in a production environment where even minor mistakes can result in broken eggs and financial losses.

The robotic cell, known as FlexPall, automates the supply of eggs to production lines and the stacking of materials used in the operation. By reducing the need for manual handling in certain stages, the system is expected to improve consistency and help workers manage increasingly demanding production volumes.

The investment forms part of a wider modernisation programme that also includes an industrial egg-breaking and separation machine. Equipped with 15 processing rows, the equipment can handle up to 225,360 eggs per hour, equivalent to approximately 626 boxes.

Across its facilities in Salvador do Sul and Vacaria, Naturovos currently classifies around 4.8 million eggs daily. Some are sold fresh to retailers and consumers, while others are processed into liquid and powdered ingredients for food manufacturers.

For employees working along the production line, automation changes the nature of daily tasks. Instead of relying entirely on manual movement and repetitive handling, workers increasingly operate alongside automated systems, monitor equipment performance and oversee quality control. Protecting the product remains essential, as damaged eggs can affect both commercial value and processing efficiency.

The company also relies on a broad agricultural network. More than 110 partner producers across Rio Grande do Sul supply over 60% of its production, supported by technical monitoring covering animal health, nutrition, genetics and farm management.

Automation is arriving as Brazilian egg consumption continues to expand. According to the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA), national production is expected to reach 64.8 billion eggs in 2026, representing growth of up to 4.1% compared with the previous year.

Per capita consumption is projected to reach 301 eggs annually, an increase of up to 4.5%. The figures reflect the growing importance of eggs as an affordable source of protein for households facing pressure on food budgets.

Consumer behaviour is also changing. Data from Worldpanel by Numerator, released in September 2026, show that eggs appeared in 50% of protein-containing breakfast dishes, an increase of 3.8 percentage points during the year. Across all monitored protein consumption occasions, eggs accounted for 16.2%.

For food manufacturers, this growing popularity creates opportunities beyond traditional fresh eggs. Naturovos produces liquid and powdered egg products, including whites, yolks and whole-egg mixtures, which can be used in bakery products, prepared foods and other industrial applications.

The company has also developed its export business since entering international markets in 2004, supplying customers in Latin America, the Middle East and Asia.

Animal welfare remains another part of the industry’s transformation. Naturovos began expanding cage-free production systems in 2017 and now has more than 900,000 birds under these arrangements.

Looking ahead, the outlook for Brazil’s egg industry remains positive. ABPA forecasts that national production could reach 66.5 billion eggs in 2027, while annual consumption could rise to 312 eggs per person. If these projections materialise, producers are likely to face additional pressure to expand capacity without compromising product quality or operational standards.

For companies such as Naturovos, robotics could become increasingly important in managing this expansion. Automated handling, faster processing and improved production monitoring offer opportunities to increase output while limiting losses associated with fragile products.

However, technology alone will not determine the industry’s future. Feed costs, animal health, labour availability, energy prices and access to export markets will continue to influence profitability.

The broader challenge for Brazilian producers will be to combine industrial efficiency with responsible farming practices. As demand grows, the ability to move millions of eggs safely from farms to processing facilities could become just as important as increasing the number of eggs produced.