Overview
- Shoppers in parts of Germany found thin egg assortments before Easter, though major chains said daily deliveries and internal redistribution help refill shelves.
- The squeeze follows February outbreaks of Newcastle disease in Brandenburg and Bavaria that triggered mandatory culls and restricted zones for poultry and eggs.
- By late March, officials in Brandenburg reported about 2.1 million birds killed, and the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut says the virus threatens poultry but not consumers.
- Domestic producers met only about 72% of demand last year, so Germany relies on shell-egg imports mainly from the Netherlands and Poland to close the gap.
- Prices remain elevated, with eggs 14.5% more expensive in February than a year earlier, and fixed retail contracts curb near-term hikes as producers prepare to seek higher prices in late-summer talks.