Why EGGS are now in short supply at Aussie supermarkets as farmers issue an urgent warning to shoppers

• e-mail

Eggs have become the latest essential to go missing from Australian supermarket shelves, as a surprising theory emerged for the shortage, which could last until October.

Woolworths and Coles customers have taken to social media to report empty shelves where the eggs usually sit in some stores.

It is understood customers at New South Wales, Victorian and West Australian supermarkets struggled to find eggs as supply failed to keep up with demand.

Eggs have become the latest essential to go missing from Australian supermarket shelves, as a surprising theory emerged for the shortage which could last until October

Egg producers culled their flocks due to a drop in demand and flocks remain low

 A NSW egg farmer told Daily Mail Australia the shortage could last until October

NSW egg farmer, Brett Langfield, told Daily Mail Australia the shortage could last another four months.

Mr Langfield said across NSW flocks are down around 10 per cent, partly as a Covid hangover.

He said demand for eggs was high during lockdowns but when people came out of lockdown, the demand for eggs dropped.

So farmers cut their flocks by around 20 per cent. 

They haven't yet recovered to full numbers and farmers 'lack confidence' that boosting flocks will be worth it to them because of the increased costs of fuel and grain - the latter due to the Ukraine war.

'It could be like this for another three or four months,' Mr Langfield said.

Woolworths told Daily Mail Australia reduced production by egg farmers was responsible for the shortages.

'The market-wide supply of locally produced eggs in some regions have recently been impacted by reduced production on a number of farms,' a Woolworths spokesperson said.

'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.

Coles confirmed the egg shortages was also affecting its stores and customers

The spokesperson said the store was working with suppliers to 'increase the availability of eggs in stores as soon as possible'.

Coles confirmed the egg shortages was also affecting its stores.

'We are experiencing temporary reduced availability in our eggs range due production challenges. We are working hard to restock stores as quickly as possible.'