German discounter Netto limits egg purchases to two packs per customer

The German discount supermarket Netto, which operates in northern and eastern Germany, has implemented a purchase limit, restricting customers to a maximum of two packs of eggs per transaction. The company confirmed this measure is a response to a "tense situation" in the egg market.

A spokesperson for Netto explained that the limitation is due to "animal diseases in regional laying hen populations." These outbreaks are impacting the availability of two specific egg products that Netto sources regionally, leading to temporary supply constraints. The company stated it is working with suppliers to ensure product availability and anticipates the situation may ease starting next week.

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Animal diseases in regional laying hen populations affect the availability of eggs. This also affects two of our regionally sourced egg products, which we can temporarily only procure to a limited extent.

In contrast, other major German food retailers, including Aldi, Edeka, Lidl, Kaufland, and Rewe, have not yet introduced similar purchase limits on eggs. However, the broader egg market has been experiencing difficulties for several months. Factors contributing to the strain include increased consumer demand coupled with a reduced supply, exacerbated by several animal diseases affecting poultry.

Market analyst Margit Beck from Marktinfo Eier und Geflügel noted that while regional supply disruptions have occurred, there is currently no indication of a nationwide egg shortage. She suggested that localized outbreaks, such as Newcastle Disease, are likely responsible for the observed bottlenecks. A Rewe spokesperson mentioned that the scarcity is most noticeable in the Berlin metropolitan area, where producers have been more severely affected, leading to potential limitations in brand selection, package sizes, and housing types, though fresh eggs remain available.

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A national egg emergency is not currently being recorded. Regional failures due to Newcastle Disease are likely to have led to the observed bottlenecks.