Overview
- Heavy snow and prefectural bans on lorries last week blocked collections, leaving eggs on farms and producing especially bare shelves over the January 10–11 weekend.
- Retail shortages predate the storms, driven by higher per‑capita consumption and a sector transition to free‑range systems that curbs quickly marketable supply.
- Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard argues France has too few henhouses because building rules are overly restrictive and backs easing them under the Duplomb law.
- Avian influenza has reduced usable output in affected flocks and has limited import relief from other EU producers, with Germany and Poland dealing with outbreaks.
- Producers say ramp‑up takes months and estimate an extra million laying hens per year may be needed, while multi‑year contracts have tempered retail price spikes and post‑holiday demand may ease pressure slightly.