(26)Egg supply for the retail trade in the French overseas departments relies partly on the supply of eggs from the European continent because local production is still not sufficient to cover demand. In view of the duration of transport and of climatic conditions, the preservation of eggs transported to the French overseas departments presupposes the fulfilment of specific supply arrangements, including the possibility to dispatch eggs chilled. These special arrangements can be justified by the lack of sufficient local egg production capacities. Until sufficient local production capacities are built up, these exceptional arrangements should be maintained.