Alarming image reveals harsh truth about grocery shopping

In a country known for its abundance and variety, a recent photograph paints a very different picture of the Australian grocery landscape.

The stark and unsettling image shows barren supermarket shelves where eggs should be, an unmistakable visual of the harsh reality Australians are confronting during a devastating bird flu outbreak.


The empty shelves are not just a temporary inconvenience; they are a symptom of a more significant crisis that has swept across poultry farms nationwide, leading to a substantial shortage of eggs.

Since last Thursday, June 27, Woolworths, one of the country's largest supermarket chains, has imposed a two-carton limit on egg purchases for customers in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and Victoria.

This measure, while drastic, indicates the severity of the situation.


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Australian egg supplies were impacted by bird flu, leading Woolworths to impose a purchase limit. Credit: @AnthonyLee59 / X (formerly Twitter)


The supermarket giant has attributed the shortage to a 'delay' in stock following a suspected avian flu outbreak at an egg farm that adjoins a packing shed.

‘Along with other retailers, we’re expecting a short-term delay in stock from one of our egg suppliers in NSW, ACT, and Victoria due to the temporary closure of one of their packing sheds,’ a Woolworths spokeswoman explained.

‘Their supply is expected to recover over the next week as they ramp up operations at their other sites.’


She reassured customers that supply is expected to recover as operations ramp up at alternative sites.

‘Right now, the majority of customers are only buying one carton of eggs at a time, and there’s no reason that should change,’ she said.

Despite these assurances and the purchase limits set as a precaution, images of empty shelves emerge from various parts of the country.

A Melbourne resident shared a photo of his local store's egg section with the caption, 'They're slaughtering all the chickens. NO EGGS’.

Coles, another supermarket heavyweight, was the first to introduce restrictions on egg purchases in all states except Western Australia on 9 June.


The avian flu outbreak, which began in Victoria, has since spread to New South Wales and even reached an ACT-based commercial egg farm, which has been locked down to prevent further spread.

The bird flu outbreak has led to the culling of over one million birds to contain the virus, but the impact on the egg industry and Australian consumers is evident.

The ripple effects of the egg shortage are being felt beyond the supermarket aisles.

McDonald's Australia has announced a reduction in its breakfast menu hours, now ending at 10:30 am instead of midday, to conserve egg usage.

The duration of this change remains uncertain. You can read more about this news here.
Key Takeaways
  • Empty supermarket shelves have shown the impact of bird flu on Australian egg supplies, with Woolworths implementing a purchase limit.
  • Woolworths has restricted customers to two packs of eggs each due to stock delays from a supplier affected by avian flu.
  • The bird flu outbreak, which has led to over one million birds being culled, is affecting poultry farms across Australia, spreading from Victoria to NSW.
  • In response to the egg shortage, McDonald's has reduced its breakfast menu hours to conserve egg usage, serving breakfast until 10:30 am instead of midday.
Have you noticed the egg shortage in your area? How has it affected your shopping habits or meal planning? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
 
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There's normally about 20 million eggs laid a day. Don't know what it currently is with all this problem?

I've only got 2 packs of 12 eggs at the moment😕 Will have to find some more tomorrow when I'm shopping.
 
My Woolworths had no eggs when I went to get some, luckily Aldi still had a few.
What I don't get is why the limit of 2, why not 1? Some people automatically go and buy 2 cartons because they can, whether they need them or not, leaving none for those who do need them and only want to buy 1
Yes, it almost feels like some sort of advertising to get people to buy 2 packs whether they need them or not.
 
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I am hoping the sake of eggs is not affected here because the problem is in the Eastern States. However I won’t be surprised if our WA eggs are affected. Any excuse for charging more and getting more profits…
 
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What is the Government doing about the homing pidgeons - why are the owners allowed to release them during this crisis ?
 
I was shopping in Aldies yesterday, l heard a man say, oh no eggs like his world ended. I thought, lovey have you not heard about the bird flu which is sadly leading to thousands of poor chickens being put to sleep.
Another lady commented to my husband in Coles, oh dear there is only a few packets of eggs left on the shelf. I thought are people really not aware of the egg shortage?
Hopefully.it will be for a short time. I am sure we can survive for a short time with out eggs.
I feel for the chicken farmers who a must be devastated with the loss of their stock and their livelihood.
Let's hope it will be brought under control as as possible.
Kind regards to all Vicki
 
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