By ANNE BESTON
The worst egg shortage for at least 10 years has wholesalers and retailers scouring the country for supplies.
Neil Craddock, owner of one of the biggest poultry farms in the country, Craddock Farms at Pukekohe, said the shortage was among the worst he had seen in more than 40
years in the business.
"I can't see it getting any better for at least six to nine months.
"It's really quite simple - plenty of the smaller guys have walked away because the drop in egg prices over the past couple of years meant the cost of producing was more than it was worth."
Mr Craddock said even if farmers put on extra chicks now it would be six months before the hens began laying.
One Auckland supermarket manager said egg sales were up and his prices had risen 10c to 15c a dozen. His supplier was having to source eggs from Wellington.
Pak 'N Save's Lincoln Rd store in West Auckland had also put eggs up by about 15c a dozen, said manager Vinod Bhaga.
"We've had an increase in sales; now we're just making sure we've got sufficient product."
Shoppers usually pay $2.70 to $2.80 for a dozen size six or seven eggs.
A tray of 30 costs $5.17 to $5.20.
Graeme Carrie, one of the biggest free-range egg producers, is fielding calls from some worried Auckland restaurant owners and has assured them he can provide what they need.
Pat Williams, general manager of major egg producer PCL, said some suppliers were struggling to meet demand.
Exports had been put on hold while the industry concentrated on supplying the local market, he said.
New Zealanders eat about 200 eggs each a year, or 60 million dozen, laid by 2.5 million hens.
