Why are eggs in short supply at supermarkets in the UK?

The outbreak of bird flu has seen millions of animals culled in the past couple of months, meaning vast numbers of eggs are simply not being laid. 

Norfolk has become the national epicentre of the epidemic, with more than 50 cases in the last six weeks, forcing the cull of hundreds of thousands of commercial birds.

Customers have been left disappointed after turning up to some stores to find eggs out of stock, while at least one Lidl branch has told shoppers they can only buy three boxes at a time.

Meanwhile, Wetherspoon's in Great Yarmouth has taken eggs off its menu entirely - blaming the disease. 

Wetherspoon spokesman, Eddie Gershon, said: "We can confirm that there are temporary issues with egg supplies at some Wetherspoon pubs, including The Troll Cart in Great Yarmouth, due to the current impact of Avian flu on egg production.”

Why is there a shortage of eggs?

Shortages have been partly blamed on Britain’s biggest-ever bird flu outbreak which has already caused supply issues with the Christmas turkey and geese market.

However, it is also thought soaring wheat prices, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have meant many egg producers have been forced to reduce their flocks or leave the industry.

The British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) said egg prices have risen about "45p per dozen".

The group said: "While egg prices have risen by about 45p per dozen, many farmers have only received 5p to 10p of that rise.

"Egg producers have been hit with huge hikes in production costs.

"Feeding hens is now at least 50pc more expensive than it was, and energy prices have soared in the same way that consumers have seen their domestic bills rise."

Are supermarkets running out of eggs?

Morrisons and Sainsbury's confirmed it currently has no major supply issues on eggs and supports a statement reassuring customers from the British Retail Consortium.

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: “While avian flu has disrupted the supply of some egg ranges, retailers are experts at managing supply chains and are working hard to minimise impact on customers.

"Furthermore, retailers have long-standing, established relationships with their suppliers and know how important maintaining these are for their customers and businesses.

"Supermarkets source the vast majority of their food from the UK and know they need to pay a sustainable price to egg farmers but are constrained by how much additional cost they can pass onto consumers during a cost of living crisis." 

In Norwich on Tuesday (November 15), there were no eggs left in the Iceland store in St Stephens Street while two of the city's Tesco metro stores and a Sainsbury's local had limited supplies.

Staff at the shops confirmed there were shortages and that eggs had been a popular purchase over the past few days.

Are businesses in Norfolk impacted by the egg shortage?

Bakers in Norwich who rely on eggs to make their living said the shortage has been "disastrous". 

Kaysie Davidson, who runs The Baking Addict out of Old Catton, has seen the shortage in supermarkets.  

The mum, who delivers across Norwich, said: “If I couldn't get hold of eggs it would have disastrous effects on my business.

“Pretty much everything I make has eggs and I wouldn't know how to do it with an alternative.” 

Another city bakery struggling with inflated prices and ingredient shortages is Two Magpies Bakery in Timberhill.

Co-owner, Steve Magnall said: “Energy is our biggest rising cost – it will cost us more than £200k this year.  

"Dairy has now almost doubled and on top of that flour has gone up by 25pc. 

"We also have another price increase on its way.

“Everything is being impacted – we made a profit last year which was good.  

“But this year we are looking at being completely wiped out and might breakeven at best. We can’t pass the costs on to the consumers all the time.” 

Will the egg shortage impact Christmas?

Farmers are warning Britain could have run out of eggs by Christmas as a result of rising costs and the ongoing outbreak of avian flu.

BFREPA said a third of hen farmers surveyed earlier this month have either "reduced their flock sizes, paused production temporarily or left the industry altogether".

The group said: “Fewer hens means fewer eggs and we warned in March that eggs could be in short supply by Christmas.

"Egg supply naturally tightens at this time of year as businesses and individuals prepare for Christmas, which may be exacerbating the situation.

"On top of this, avian influenza has resulted in the culling of laying hens too.

“We need to see farmers paid a sustainable price to restore confidence and optimism to the sector.”