A nationwide shortage of eggs has left retailers scrambling to keep stocks on supermarket shelves.
An increasing appetite for eggs, particularly free-range, has amplified the dip in supply, which usually occurs during the cooler winter months.
"Hens tend to go into a slow egg laying mode," said Queensland United Egg Producers CEO John Coward.
"We see anything from a 5 to 10 per cent reduction in egg production through those months."
The slow-down in supply has come as consumption rose 3.5 per cent over the past year, with Australians now cracking 19 million eggs each day.
Mr Coward said increased meat prices had also seen shoppers turn to eggs as a cheaper source of protein.
"People are saying, '$5 a kilo for eggs, $25-30 a kilo for steak, maybe I might put a egg dish on the menu for the kids this week'."
Mr Coward warned it could be "two to three months" before supply rebounded, which may lead to increased prices.
"State and territory fair trading ministers agreed in March to a 10,000 birds per hectare standard for free-range production."
The industry is also seeking further clarification on exactly what the agreed terms of "meaningful access to the outside" will mean for producers.
"That's the most important part ... we want the birds to have the freedom of choice that when the doors open in the morning, the birds can have access to go outside at their will," Mr Coward said.
Free-range eggs account for roughly 50 per cent of sales."
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I usually buy my eggs at the farm, but it was closed yesterday. Still plenty of eggs at Aldi but I bought a cpl dozen extra to my usual amount.
We use around half a dozen eggs a week.
