Australians are no strangers to the occasional supply hiccup, whether it’s due to extreme weather events or global market fluctuations. But for those who love to start their day with a sunny-side-up or whip up a quick omelette for lunch, the current egg shortage has been particularly frustrating.
If you’ve been wondering why your local Coles or Woolworths has been limiting the number of eggs you can take home, we’re here to crack the case wide open.
The root of the problem lies in an outbreak of Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, which has affected a number of properties in Victoria. While the devastating 2024 outbreak had been contained, its effects lingered like a bad smell in a henhouse, and the recent February incident has only added to the strain on the country’s egg supply.
Despite these challenges, it’s not all doom and gloom. Rowan McMonnies, managing director of Australian Eggs, reassured consumers that the industry is still laying strong, supplying 18 million eggs daily.
‘The industry was on track to balance up supply but now there is some further work to do,’ he said.
The impact of these shortages has been felt not just in availability but also in the wallet. Egg prices have soared by up to 30 per cent in the last six months in some areas. However, as McMonnies pointed out, this is a classic case of supply and demand economics.
As the year progresses and the industry recovers, consumers should see prices come back down from their current free-range highs.
In response to the shortage, Coles has confirmed to 9news that they will maintain purchase limits on eggs to ensure that all customers have a fair share at buying them.
‘We will continue to work closely with all our suppliers to ensure eggs remain available for our customers. To manage availability, we will continue to maintain the purchase limits that have been in place since the first outbreak in Victoria in 2024,’ the retail giant stated through a spokesperson.
Coles also encourages shoppers to be mindful of their community and only buy what they need. It’s a sentiment echoed by Woolworths, who are also working hard to source as many eggs as possible to meet demand.
‘In the meantime, the egg industry has been working to boost supply market-wide. Our egg supply has continued to improve and we are working closely with our suppliers to source as many eggs as possible,’ Woolworths assured its customers.
Both supermarket giants are keeping a close eye on the situation and have stocked up on egg alternatives to help customers through these challenging times. So, if you’re struggling to find eggs, consider trying out some of these alternatives or explore plant-based options that can be just as delicious and nutritious.
As you navigate through this shortage, it’s important to remember that patience is key. The industry is working tirelessly to get things back to normal, and by the end of the year, you could see the situation improve significantly.
In the meantime, why not take this opportunity to get creative in the kitchen? There are plenty of egg-free recipes that are just waiting to be discovered. And who knows, you might just find a new favourite dish in the process.
We’d love to hear from you, our YourLifeChoices community. How has the egg shortage affected your shopping habits? Have you discovered any tasty egg-free recipes or alternatives? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below, and support fellow readers through this egg-ceptional situation.
Also read: Australia faces new H7 outbreak after recent clearance—egg shortages feared
I feel for the people who are struggling financially as eggs are/were a cheap substitute for meat. I only shop for food weekly so if there are no eggs available (and there wasn’t this week) then we don’t eat eggs. Usually there are about 10 or so dozen left at the time when I shop at Coles and I don’t mind if I have to pay a bit more because it is the more expensive eggs that are usually left.