AUSTRALIA | Australians have been accustomed to facing supply shortages throughout the pandemic and its aftermath. Recently, many were concerned about Coles' restriction of two cartons of eggs per customer across all stores nationwide, except Western Australia.
The cause was an avian influenza outbreak, also known as "bird flu," in Victoria, resulting in culls impacting production at five poultry farms. However, the production of free-range eggs naturally fluctuates seasonally, typically dropping by about 20 percent during winter.
The timing of this latest outbreak likely raised worries about insufficient egg availability, but the purchase limits are relatively modest and are currently only in place at Coles.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has been closely monitoring the situation and overseeing actions states and territories take to contain the spread. Australia's outbreaks differ significantly from the extensive crisis that has affected the United States since 2022.
The US Department of Agriculture reported that nearly six million birds were affected in the last month, and the decline in egg production led to record-high egg prices in the US in 2022, with prices rising again despite industry measures.
Data from Australian Eggs indicated that egg production in Australia was spread across different states. Although New South Wales accounted for about 34 percent of the supply, Queensland and Victoria were just slightly behind.
Currently, most eggs sold in Australian supermarkets are free-range, which are more susceptible to fluctuations due to climate conditions, and biosecurity control is more challenging.
Australian Eggs is continuing to work with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) and Agriculture Victoria to respond to avian influenza detections in defined areas of New South Wales and Victoria.
“The impact of avian influenza in Australia is being felt right across the poultry industries, but the response protocols being put in place by the authorities are proving to be successful in containing the disease to a small number of farms”, said Rowan McMonnies, Managing Director of Australian Eggs.
“We saw the successful containment of avian influenza to a defined area of Victoria managed by established response protocols and expect a similar outcome in New South Wales.”
He added that consumers can be assured that over 20 million hens were still under the care of hundreds of egg farmers across Australia, who will continue to work hard to ensure eggs are on shelves.
