Egg Shortages Persist as Supermarkets Enforce Purchase Limits

IAN ROGERS

Shoppers across Australia are once again facing empty egg shelves and strict purchase limits as a national egg shortage continues to disrupt supply chains.

The combination of avian infuenza, seasonal demand, and the industry’s shift away from caged eggs is driving the scarcity, according to key stakeholders in the Australian egg industry.

Consumers Struggle to Find Eggs

Third-generation caged-egg farmer

Danyel Cucinotta, based in Werribee, Victoria, says the shortages are noticeable and frustrating for consumers.

“Plenty of friends have been calling me asking why they can’t get eggs,” Cucinotta said.

Woolworths has stated it is actively working to increase egg supply, but Cucinotta believes the shortages may linger for another six to twelve months.

“You’ll see us playing catch-up for quite some time,” she added.

Seasonal Demand and Industry Transition

The egg industry is undergoing a challenging transition as farms recover from avian infuenza outbreaks and shift away from caged-egg production to free-range or barn-laid systems.

Melinda Hashimoto, CEO of Egg Farmers of Australia, explained the complexities involved: “It takes time and capital expenditure to establish new farming infrastructure.”

This delay, combined with strong seasonal demand, has put immense pressure on supply. Farmers impacted by avian fu require time to reintroduce birds after quarantine measures, further slowing recovery efforts.

Supermarkets and Smaller Retailers Feel the Strain

Major supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles are especially affected, partly due to their policies favoring barn-laid and free-range eggs. Signs apologizing for reduced stock have become commonplace, urging consumers to explore smaller or local retailers for alternatives.

“Major supermarkets have policies to mostly stock barn-laid or freerange eggs,” Hashimoto said.

Rising Prices Add Pressure

The shortage has driven egg prices higher, with caged eggs seeing signifcant price jumps.

Boyd Carmody, managing director of Creswick Open Range Farm in Victoria, highlighted the changing consumer behavior:

“The bottom end of the market has raised their prices substantially. When there’s only a $5 disparity between caged and open-range eggs, people are prepared to spend more.”

Carmody’s farm, which operates with less than 200 hens per hectare, has experienced a 25% year-on-year increase in sales, but he notes that supply will remain tight until mid-to-late Spring.

Why Recovery Takes Time

Six months after the avian infuenza outbreak, farmers are still grappling with production challenges. Expanding egg supply requires a minimum six-month lead time due to the need to increase hen numbers gradually and ensure sustainable operations.

Liam Brokensha, director of The Splendid Egg poultry farm in South Australia, acknowledged the risks involved in scaling production. “We’d love to take advantage of higher demand, but when we’ve increased numbers in the past, demand often drops before the eggs reach shelves,” Brokensha said.

Looking Ahead

While industry stakeholders work toward stabilizing supply, the path to recovery remains complex and dependent on various factors, including avoiding further outbreaks of avian infuenza.

For now, consumers may need to rely on smaller retailers and brace for higher prices as the egg industry navigates this transitional period