Fears price of a dozen eggs could climb as high as $15

Egg Prices Could Soar to $15 Amid Fears of Expedited Caged Egg Ban

Concerns are rife that the price of a dozen eggs in Australia could climb as high as $15. This comes as the government considers bringing forward the ban on caged eggs by 10 years to 2036. The decision, set to be discussed by Australia’s agriculture ministers on Thursday, has sparked fears among egg farmers and consumers alike.

The proposed change to the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry would accelerate the phase-out of caged eggs from the initially planned date of 2046. This follows New Zealand’s expedited ban on caged eggs, which has seen egg prices rise to as much as $12.50 per carton.

Brett Langfield, owner and managing director of LPC Poultry in Young, NSW, voiced his concerns about the potential impact on both consumers and farmers. Speaking to ‘Today’, he said, “We’re concerned if we get rushed into this process, the consumers will be hurt the most. We’ve got farmers out there that still have loans, they’re paying off the infrastructure. They’ll basically be left high and dry by the government.”

Langfield supports a 20-year phase-out plan to 2046, arguing that an organized transition would minimize disruption and mitigate concerns over rising egg prices. He also highlighted the need for financial assistance to help farmers transition to cage-free operations, which require three times more labour than caged operations.

Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie echoed these concerns, warning that an early ban could drive up not only the cost of eggs but also other food items in the supply chain. “We eat 17 million of them every single day,” she told ‘Today’. “And 40 per cent of the eggs that are sold at every supermarket every day actually are caged eggs because they are an affordable option for so many families. To see them rise like we’re seeing when similar decisions made in other countries will just put the cost of delivering healthy food on the table every night so much harder.”

As the decision looms, it is clear that the implications of an expedited ban on caged eggs extend beyond animal welfare. The potential financial repercussions for both farmers and consumers underline the need for careful consideration and strategic planning in implementing such changes.