Hong Kong
CNN
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Egg prices have skyrocketed around the world over the past year as chicken stocks plummeted due to bird flu Herds and fallout from Russia’s war with Ukraine have raised the price of energy and animal feed.
in the United Statesegg prices far outpaced the rise in other food items, rising nearly 60% year-on-year in the 12 months to December. in Japanwholesale prices reached all-time highs.
Changes in aquaculture regulations have exacerbated the pressure in New Zealand, which consumes more eggs per capita than most countries. Rising costs are also causing a frenzy, with people looking online for chickens and trying to secure their own pantry essentials.
Popular local auction site Trade Me told CNN on Tuesday that searches for chickens and chicken care-related equipment have surged 190% so far this month compared to the same period a month ago.
Company spokesperson Millie Sylvester said: “Since the beginning of January, we have seen more than 65,000 searches for chickens and other chicken-related items such as feeders, coops and food.
shortage It caused a particularly severe headache for the country’s bakers.
“Everyone is now trying to buy chickens for home because they can’t get eggs,” said Ron Van Till, owner of a bakery near Christchurch city. Who He had to adjust how he made cakes and muffins.
Mr Van Til said his sister had put up for auction “four brand new chickens” through Trade Me, fetching more than double the normal price.
This trend has led animal welfare advocates to warn against impulse buying.
Gabby Clezy, CEO of the New Zealand Animal Cruelty Prevention Association (SPCA) said: “They live eight to 10 years, and some breeds may live longer.”
Clezy also pointed out that hens don’t lay eggs all their lives, and that egg-laying habits depend on factors such as age and local climate.
“If people are getting chickens, [they think] They can supply eggs permanently, but they don’t,” she said. “We ask people to see them as companion animals. They are.”
Trade Me is also encouraging marketplace customers to consider purchasing.
“It is important that our members are aware of the responsibility that comes with owning chickens and are prepared to care for them,” Sylvester said in a statement.
Health professionals are also participating. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anyone who signs up for a backyard hut should take extra precautions when handling animals and their eggs, especially because of the risk of bacteria associated with salmonella. I have.
New Zealand’s egg shortage is linked to long-anticipated farm law changes that came into effect on January 1st of this year.
The law prohibits the production of eggs from chickens kept in conventional cages or “battery cages.” according to SPCA.
Therefore, in 2012 the government announced a ban on such establishments.
However, Peter Hyde, the head of New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries, said in a statement when asked about the current shortage, “We are moving away from traditional cages to give egg producers time to change their farming practices.” A 10-year transition period was introduced,” he said.
“Egg producers had the option of moving to colony cages, barns and free range systems,” added Hyde, deputy national manager for animal welfare and national animal identification and tracking compliance at the department.
Over the past 18 months, Hyde said the ministry “has been in regular contact with operators and has visited farms that need to be migrated.”
However, despite the long lead times, some companies say the ban has stalled supplies.
New Zealand supermarket chain Foodstuffs recently placed a temporary limit on the number of eggs each customer can purchase.
“This is a big change for the egg supply industry,” Emma Wooster, the company’s head of public relations, told CNN.
Countdown, another major grocery retailer, currently has no restrictions on the sale of eggs, but encourages customers to “buy only what they need” to ensure an adequate supply for everyone. He said he would encourage
Other companies have been forced to switch things up.
Bakery owner Van Til said his team swapped out fresh eggs for alternative ingredients in recipes.
The longtime owner of Rangiora Bakery saw wholesale prices for fresh eggs rise by about 50% compared to four months ago, so he bought dried eggs instead.
Van Till also pointed to changes at other local eateries, saying some cafes have started taking certain dishes from their menus. [with] Eggs, you may only have two.
“And I hope customers pick up pancakes and waffles,” he added. “Or whatever other offering you come up with.”
