Because of the Ukraine war: are there still enough eggs at Easter?

Experts sound the alarm

Created: 03/23/2022, 17:16

By: Isabel Wetzel

Layer hen farmers have invested a lot in animal welfare in recent years.

Added to this are the rising costs for energy and animal feed, which put farmers in dire straits.

©ZDG

The effects of the Ukraine war on the German economy are becoming increasingly clear.

Shortly before Easter, eggs are also in danger of becoming scarce in the supermarket.

Berlin – Consumers in Germany are now clearly feeling the effects of the war in Ukraine.

After the energy prices had already risen to new record highs, more and more shelves are now empty in the supermarkets, because many groceries are becoming scarce.

Experts have even warned of an impending global food crisis as a result of the war*.

In many places, production is suspended, supply chains are disrupted and the costs of commodities continue to rise unabated.

Now the Federal Egg Association (BVEi) and the Central Association of the German Poultry Industry (ZDV) are also sounding the alarm.

Due to the rising costs of animal feed, farmers will be able to care for and keep fewer chickens in the coming months - and as a result will no longer be able to maintain the supply of eggs from Germany.

This could not only result in hamster purchases and food shortages, but also a sad Easter.

Ukraine war: rising costs and scarce feed - chicken farmers face an existential crisis

As early as December 2021, German laying hen farmers warned of an egg crisis in Germany.

Even then, farmers received around ten euros for 100 eggs, but production cost them around 10.50 euros.

So they were already making a loss before the massive price increase caused by the Ukraine conflict* began.

In addition to the rising costs for energy and feed, investments in more animal welfare also played a decisive role.

Because: Since January 1, 2022, killing male chicks in Germany has been prohibited *.

According to the BVEI, the resulting additional costs amounted to two cents per egg.

"If retailers and consumers are not willing to spend more money on the valuable food egg, then domestic egg production is threatened," explained Henner Schönecke in a press release at the time.

And now the situation has worsened significantly.

“There is sometimes sheer existential fear among our farmers.

The prices for feed have more than doubled in a very short time," said Schönecke on Thursday (March 17, 2022) in a statement from the ZVD.

Is there a shortage of eggs before Easter?

Expert appeals to politicians

People in Germany eat around 20 billion eggs a year – and the trend is rising, as reported by German laying hen farmers.

Shortly before Easter, demand from consumers increases, of course - because brightly colored and decorated eggs* are simply part of the celebration for most people.

This further aggravates the situation for farmers.

Many poultry farmers could no longer house animals because of the lack of feed and fewer hens means fewer eggs.

Schönecke therefore expects that the security of supply with German eggs can no longer be guaranteed by August 2022 at the latest.

Then the death of the industry "in installments" threatened, he warned and called for new negotiations and decisions on the part of politics and trade.

(iwe)