Quail Eggs: Growing Production for Retail, Restaurants, and Gourmet Market

Quail eggs are a rapidly growing product in the Brazilian market — with Brazilian quail farming among the largest in the world, producing over 3 billion eggs per year. Smaller, tastier, and with more concentrated protein than chicken eggs, quail eggs have a growing market in restaurants, charcuterie, and premium snacks.

The Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) starts laying at 40 to 45 days of age and produces 280 to 300 eggs per bird per year — the highest productivity in laying poultry per bird. For small producers, it is one of the activities with the lowest initial investment and quickest returns in alternative livestock farming.

When quail farming is conducted with productive lineage and direct marketing to restaurants, this segment can greatly contribute to job and income generation in Brazil.

Join our strategic actions for the implementation of the best solutions in the Brazilian agribusiness sector. Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover 20 chains and the 255 segments of the national agro — from the grain chain to sustainable extraction, including horticulture, fruit farming, livestock, and much more.

The Innovation For Brazil to Produce More series was developed precisely to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and the world across the 255 segments of the agribusiness sector — with accessible technical language, updated data, and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, government, and commerce.

1.  Opportunities for Small Rural Producers

How to structure quail farming with productivity and access to the premium market

Quality quail farming starts with high-laying Japanese lineage and 4 to 5-tier cages — a system that optimizes space and makes collection easier. The feed conversion of quails (2.8 to 3.2 kg of feed/kg of egg) is excellent compared to other birds.

✔    Japanese quail — production of 280 to 300 eggs/bird/year

✔    Multi-tier cages (4 to 5 levels) — space optimization

✔    Artificial lighting: 16h/day — maintains laying throughout the year

✔    Specific feed for quails — protein 22 to 24% during the laying phase

✔    PRONAF for family quail farming

The E-Book 01 — Strategic Manual for Small Rural Producers presents in detail the best solutions for this segment and 254 others in Brazilian agribusiness — focusing on method, cost reduction, and progressive growth from Agro 1.0 to Agro 6.0. Access now for BRL 99.00 →

2.  Opportunities for Micro and Small Local Suppliers

What equipment does quail farming demand

Quail farming requires specific cages, classifiers, and packers for the unique size of quail eggs.

Solutions by engineering area applied to the segment

Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover six major areas of engineering — and the chain demands solutions in all of them:

Electrical Engineering and Computing — lighting and temperature automation;

Electronic Engineering and IoT — temperature and NH₃ sensors;

Control and Automation Engineering — automatic feeders and drinkers for quails;

Mechatronic Engineering and Robotics — quail egg classifiers; tray packers;

Renewable Energy Engineering — solar for quail farming;

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — laying management and traceability.

✔    Multi-tier cages for quails

✔    Quail egg classifiers

✔    Tray packers for 12, 24, and 120 eggs

✔    Low-cost solar for quail farming

✔    Technical assistance in quail farming

The E-Book 02 — Strategic Guide for Micro and Small Local Suppliers maps, segment by segment, the business opportunities — focusing on IoT, energy, automation, and specialized technical services. Access now for BRL 99.00 →

3.  Opportunities for Municipal Governments

How municipalities can support quail farming and local egg supply

Quail farming is one of the activities with the lowest investment and fastest returns in family livestock — ideal for small properties and peri-urban producers.

✔    Peri-urban quail farming program for family income generation

✔    PNAE with local quail eggs for school meals

✔    Municipal IDM: quail farming as an indicator of diversification

✔    Partnership with restaurants for supplying local quail eggs

✔    Alternative poultry fair with quails

The E-Book 03 — Reference Guide for Municipal Governments presents the step-by-step for secretaries and municipal managers to implement effective public policies for the 255 segments of agribusiness. Access now for BRL 99.00 →

4.  Opportunities for Small Agricultural Product Merchants

How quail eggs generate business for restaurants, charcutiers, and the gourmet market

Pickled quail eggs — vinegar-pickled eggs with spices — are a rapidly growing charcuterie product. A 400g package sold for R$ 15 to R$ 25 in delicatessens has a raw material cost of R$ 3 to R$ 5.

For high-end gastronomy restaurants, quail eggs mollet (soft-boiled) or poached are decorative and textural ingredients that justify dishes priced at R$ 50 to R$ 80 — and the required volume is small, facilitating supply from local producers.

Products with high commercial potential

The main products derived from this segment for local retail and food service:

Artisan pickled quail eggs — a rapidly growing charcuterie product;

Fresh quail eggs for restaurants — high-demand gourmet ingredient;

Smoked quail eggs — growing premium charcuterie;

Premium quail egg tray — welfare and functional market;

Artisan quail for meat — niche gastronomic product;

Liquid pasteurized quail egg — B2B for confectionery.

Merchant profiles and their specific opportunities

✔    Artisan charcutiers: pickled quail eggs — growing premium product

✔    High gastronomy restaurants: mollet and poached eggs for dish decoration

✔    Distributors: quail eggs for supermarket chains

✔    Delicatessens: artisan pickled quail eggs

✔    Digital platforms: quail eggs on subscription with branding

✔    PNAE: local quail eggs for school meals

Growth strategies for local merchants

The quail farmer who processes artisan pickled eggs transforms a product worth R$ 0.25/egg into a product worth R$ 2.00/processed egg. With the capacity of 2,000 eggs/day, the revenue from artisan pickling can exceed 3 to 4 times the sale of fresh eggs.

The Pronampe and PRONAF cover cages and equipment. SEBRAE subsidizes certification and access to markets.

The E-Book 04 — Strategic Guide for Small Agricultural Product Merchants maps 30 merchant profiles and details growth opportunities across all 255 segments of agribusiness. Access now for BRL 99.00 →

Innovation and Technology Network

By purchasing any e-book in the series, you become a member of our Innovation and Technology Network. Groups of 30 members will be able to organize and fund in-person strategic planning events to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and the world.

✔    Small Rural Producers

✔    Micro and Small Supplier Companies

✔    Municipal Governments

✔    Small Agricultural Product Merchants

⭐  Special offer: I will provide 100% discount on the value of my working hours for the 10 pioneer events organized by 11/30/26 and held in December 2026. Therefore, the 10 pioneer groups will only cover the general expenses.

Sincerely,

Ivo Alves

CEO · Master in Electrical and Computing Engineering · Specialist in Innovation and Technology Project Management

Faculty: IFPB and UFRN  ·  38 years of experience in Engineering