Egg producers are warning shoppers of a potential shortage from this week as bird flu outbreaks affect production in Victoria.
Three farms in Victoria’s largest egg-producing regions are under quarantine after confirmed outbreaks of two different strains of the virus, also known as avian influenza.
More than 600,000 egg-laying hens at those farms will be culled in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.
There are more than 21 million hens in the national egg flock, according to the egg industry, and more than 100 egg farms in Victoria.
Victorian egg producer and Egg Farmers of Australia state director Meg Parkinson said any supply shortages would have been felt by now, as the 400,000-hen farm at Meredith that first reported an outbreak was affected more than two weeks ago.
“There are plenty of eggs in the system, but there won’t be as many eggs as before,” Ms Parkinson said.
Ms Parkinson understands the affected egg farms supply Australia’s major supermarkets.
‘Shop around’, farmers say
While the impact on egg availability is yet to be felt, the industry is concerned about potential wider outbreaks of bird flu.
Victoria is Australia’s third-largest egg producer, supplying 85 million dozen eggs each year.
New South Wales and Queensland produce 266 million dozen eggs combined.
The Victorian Farmers Federation says biosecurity is the top priority right now for poultry farmers, who have been advised to keep hens indoors and strengthen farm hygiene.
The farming group’s vice-president Danyel Cucinotta said egg availability would likely differ between retail outlets.
“We’re anticipating a flow-on impact to egg supplies in the coming week and are working as hard as possible to maintain availability,” Ms Cucinotta said.
“My advice is to shop around at your local grocer, market, or small independent store to buy your eggs.”
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