Aussies facing two-month egg shortage: media

Australian egg farmers on Wednesday are warning the nation is facing a two-month egg shortage as they come to terms with new regulations that are compounding seasonally low production.

Australia's egg consumption is growing at almost four percent annually as consumers switch proteins due to higher beef prices and scientific evidence on the health benefits of egg consumption.

That consumption increase however has been coming mostly from the 'free-range' variety of eggs, which are going into a period of seasonably low production due to winter, particularly in southern areas of Australia such as Sydney and Melbourne, Egg Farmers Australia spokesman John Crawford told Xinhua on Wednesday.

But Australian regulations passed in March that require 'free-range' producers to increase their production space to one chicken per square meter, or 10,000 chickens per hectare and allow hens to be regularly let outside is compounding the problem, Crawford said.

Supply shortages have mainly been caused from a lack of investment into new farms and hatcheries over the past three years as negotiations about what the definition of what 'free range' legally meant were ongoing. The accompanying regulations for minimum hatchery specifications are due to be finalized imminently.

"16.5 to 17 million eggs are consumed each day (in Australia), so a five percent drop (in production) will be noticed," Crawford said, adding the outlook isn't as dire as local media reports are suggesting.

Local egg producers have modified existing facilities to meet the expected new requirements, however new hatcheries are required to keep up with demand.

Fairfax Media reported Australian supermarket shelves are now bare of both varieties as consumers are forced to purchase cage produced eggs.

But as the southern areas being to warm up into spring, 'free-range' production should return back to normal levels, ending the drop in production and flow on affects to supply, Crawford said. Endit