Shoppers scramble for eggs but supplies remain strong

A surge in demand for eggs has made them hard to come by on supermarket shelves.

But despite so-called panic buying, shoppers should not be concerned. 

Rowan McMonnies, Australian Eggs Managing Director, explained eggs are a key staple and very much front of mind for consumers — but despite the sudden increase in popularity supply remains stable. 

"The Australian egg industry produces 17.2 million eggs every single day and it continues to do so throughout this period," he said. 

Mr McMonnies added that egg production is relatively inflexible, which is why supermarkets may struggle to keep up with demand. 

"If you'd like to have double the demand one week, you won't find double the eggs," he said.

"But it ought to be comforting that there are the 21 million hens in Australia and they don't know about COVID-19 and they are continuing to lay every day and they are producing a steady supply."

The rush on eggs has also led to an increase in the number of people trying to secure their own egg laying hens. 

Ian and Pauline Freeth own Central West Poultry in Collie, 70km north-west of Dubbo. 

In the last few weeks, their business has increased by around 80 per cent after the couple sold an exceptional number of chooks, with city-dwellers willing to drive long distances to find poultry. 

"They are ringing from everywhere, Sydney to Newcastle, and all points beyond and around," Mr Freeth said. 

"Normally at this time of year we might get three or four calls per day. Now we would be up to fifty."

His wife described the surge in demand as the perfect storm. 

"We have people who are reacting to coronavirus and wanting hens in their backyards so they can have fresh eggs. And we also have our normal clientele coming in to restock their hens for the winter," Mrs Freeth said.