The issues have been put down to a number of reasons, including rising feed costs, chicken disease outbreaks overseas, weather issues and the belief that supermarkets are phasing out caged eggs too soon.
The rising cost of production
Supermarkets point to increased costs in production and poor weather as a reason for recent egg shortages, despite an increase in supply in recent months after a difficult 18 months for the industry.
An egg shortage
Commercial Egg Producers of WA president Ian Wilson blamed the shortage on a lack of certainty in the industry, caused by the ongoing review of the national standards and guidelines for egg producers, with could see caged egg production phased out altogether by 2036.
Several factors, including food shortages, rising energy costs, and bird flu, are contributing to the ongoing egg shortage.
The ongoing poultry shortage hit crisis mode in August 2022, with some supermarkets including Coles enacting a two-carton limit in stores. The egg industry faces supply issues impacted by rising feed costs and a hangover from the pandemic restrictions which reduced laying flocks.
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Egg industry hit by price increase, supermarkets struggling to get supply. The issues have been put down to a number of reasons, including rising feed costs, chicken disease outbreaks overseas, weather issues and the belief that supermarkets are phasing out caged eggs too soon.
Woolworths blames reduced production for egg shortage
"While we continue to deliver eggs to our stores regularly, customers may notice reduced availability at the moment and we thank them for their patience and understanding," the spokesperson said.
Several factors, including food shortages, rising energy costs, and bird flu, are contributing to the ongoing egg shortage.
Mr Jones said a rise in energy bills, the outbreak of bird flu, and the desire for less caged hens have also proved obstacles. He said the supermarkets were initially reluctant to pay farmers more for their eggs, which made some quit the industry, while others chose not to re-stock their flocks.
Supermarkets have been increasing their egg prices as shoppers are reporting empty shelves. Shortages first hit towards the end of 2022 when producers cut back or left the industry altogether due to the soaring production costs.
In the 2021-22 financial year, New South Wales produced 35% of Australia's eggs with Queensland (30%) & Victoria (20%) not far behind. How many hens are there in Australia's egg industry? In June 2022, Australia's egg industry reported a national flock size of 21,187,854 layers.
Australia imports most of its Egg from Vietnam, India and Italy .
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Food Standards Australia New Zealand's Response
The statement continues to say that refrigerating whole eggs is not required because: The Salmonella bacteria which can contaminate an egg while it's inside the bird isn't present in Australian eggs.
The main changes to the production system concern the gradual abandonment of cage-housing systems, the demand to not kill male chicks and the lengthening of the production period.
The Phillipines have held top spot for Australian egg exports, based on the five-year average trade values, holding 27% of the trade. Meanwhile, Singapore and Hong Kong have been jostling for second and third place on the medal podium.
Well, there's a simple explanation for that. It's apparently because store temperatures are kept below 20ºC, so refrigeration is unnecessary. 'This also prevents significant temperature fluctuations. For example, eggs being moved from a fridge to a hot car after purchase,' a spokesperson told us.
Australians are being hit with a national egg shortage, as consumers move towards free-range eggs amid rising production costs, extreme weather events and worker shortages.
According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), you can freeze eggs for up to one year. When you're ready to use frozen eggs, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or under running cold water. Use egg yolks or whole eggs as soon as they're thawed.
Tesco has become the latest grocer to ration eggs due to supply issues. Customers are now limited to buying three boxes of eggs at the checkout because of the dual blows to poultry farmers of rising costs and an avian flu outbreak.
Most eggs sold commercially in the grocery store are from poultry farms and have not been fertilized. In fact, laying hens at most commercial farms have never even seen a rooster. Given the right nutrients, hens will lay eggs with or without having been in the presence of a rooster.
Farmlay supplies Aldi with its full everyday range of 100% Scottish eggs, which include Free Range, Golden and Organic.
Woolworths Fresh Poultry is 100% Australian. Poultry and eggs are an important component of many of our customers' daily diets and the welfare of these birds need to be met at all times. 100% of the fresh poultry and eggs used in our Australian products are produced from farms regionally across Australia.
Coles Jumbo Free Range Eggs 12 Pack | 800g.