The peak body representing egg farmers in Western Australia has warned consumers to brace for higher prices on the back of a once-in-a-century drought in the United States.
The Commercial Egg Producers Association of WA said a historically poor harvest in the US was driving up grain prices in Western Australia.
“As grain producers in WA see international prices for grain increasing they may hold onto their stockpile and sell into the overseas market,” CEPA president John Simpson said.
“This leaves less grain for the WA egg industry at higher prices resulting in an increase in the cost of producing a dozen eggs, which in turn may increase egg prices for consumers.”
Mr Simpson said a dozen eggs could cost up to 50 cents more at the supermarket as a result.
He said a recent lack of rain in WA also posed a threat to egg prices, adding to global grain shortages.
