
There is a growing egg shortage in Austria, caused by an avian flu outbreak in autumn 2024 that led to the deaths of millions of hens across Europe, including 200,000 in Austria, according to a poultry official.
Michael Wurzer from the Poultry Industry Association said the supply shortage in Austria is mainly due to the situation in other EU countries.
Wurzer explained that Austrian egg farms typically supply 90% of the domestic market, and production is running at full capacity.
However, he also pointed out the challenges faced by suppliers: “We are noticing that traders who supply the gastronomy sector and who have previously imported eggs into Austria are struggling to obtain them from abroad, and when they can, the prices are very high,” Wurzer said. “The local gastronomy, which has a high demand for eggs due to winter tourism, is also pulling significant quantities of domestic eggs off the market, leading to an overall shortage of supply.”
The shortage is most noticeable with organic eggs, which Wurzer described as “in fact very scarce.” However, he assured consumers that, despite these issues, “generally, they will still be able to find sufficient local eggs in Austrian grocery stores in the coming months.”
He also said that, with Easter still a few months away, the supply situation should improve, though there may be temporary shortages of certain types. Additionally, businesses in winter tourism areas are being particularly affected due to increased demand.
Major Retailers Under Strain
Spar has reported “slightly less availability of organic and free-range eggs” at certain times but emphasised that plenty of eggs are still available, with some customers perhaps needing to opt for different products. In a statement to the Austria Press Agency (APA), the Rewe Group (Billa, Penny) confirmed “sporadic shortages” in these egg categories but reassured that they are working to resolve the issue.
Discount retailer Lidl also acknowledged the current supply limitations, saying: “Despite a high level of domestic production, availability in Austria is currently limited.” However, they expressed confidence that the situation would improve by Easter. Meanwhile, at Hofer, another major discount chain, there has been a marked rise in demand for organic eggs. Due to the long-term nature of supply planning, the company explained that “it is hardly possible to respond quickly to spikes in demand. Temporary shortages cannot, in exceptional cases, be ruled out.”