Shoppers in Austria might have noticed empty supermarket shelves where they’d normally find the eggs. So what’s the reason and when will eggs return?
In some branches of major chains in Austria such as Billa and Spar, eggs have been partially or completely unavailable in recent weeks, prompting frustration and confusion among customers.
The shortages have been most noticeable in the days after Christmas and Epiphany, a period that traditionally sees high demand for food. According to reporting by MeinBezirk, however, the current situation goes beyond a normal seasonal rush.
Empty shelves spotted across the country
Images shared from Vienna, Graz, and other cities show sparsely stocked egg sections, sometimes with only a few cartons left. In one Billa branch in Vienna’s second district, MeinBezirk reporters found just two cartons of floor-laid eggs remaining.
A sign on the shelf explained the situation bluntly: “EIER derzeit AUS” – eggs currently unavailable.
Another notice pointed to the underlying cause, citing high demand and fewer laying hens due to bird flu. Similar scenes were reported by shoppers elsewhere.
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While not every store has run out entirely, availability has been inconsistent, with some branches restocked while others remain empty.
Bird flu abroad and demand from other countries
The main reason for the shortage is not in Austria. According to a spokesperson for Spar quoted by MeinBezirk, Austria produces too few eggs to be fully self-sufficient. With bird flu affecting laying hen populations in several other European countries, buyers from abroad have increasingly turned to Austrian producers.
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This has reduced the amount of eggs available for the domestic market, even though Austria itself has not been hit as hard by outbreaks.
The issue is not limited to a single region. Spar said the shortages were affecting supermarkets across the country, rather than being confined to specific cities or provinces.
Supermarkets respond cautiously
Rewe, the group behind Billa, confirmed that the egg supply situation remains tense. In response to an enquiry from MeinBezirk, the company said that while supply was strained, it was still managing to meet demand overall.
The company added that it was in close contact with farmers to plan ahead and take appropriate measures.
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Neither Rewe nor Spar provided detailed figures on the number of eggs diverted abroad or the extent of domestic production affected.
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Holiday demand made things worse
Supermarket chains also pointed to the timing of the shortage. Demand for eggs rises sharply over the Christmas and New Year period, when many households bake and cook more than usual. According to Spar, this “enormous demand for the holidays” led to gaps in supply in some stores.
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The retailer said these gaps should now begin to close.
For now, the shortage appears to be limited mainly to eggs themselves. Spar did not comment on whether products containing eggs, such as baked goods or pasta, might also face supply problems. There has been no indication so far of widespread shortages in these categories.
Key vocabulary
die Vogelgrippe – bird flu
die Legehennen – laying hens
der Eier-Engpass – egg shortage
die Nachfrage – demand
die Versorgungslage – supply situation
die Feiertage – public holidays