European egg markets are heading toward severe Easter shortages as Poland has lost at least 5 million laying hens in just six weeks, representing nearly 10% of the country’s total production capacity.

The largest recent outbreak affected one of Poland’s biggest farms with 1.5 million birds. Poland is simultaneously battling Newcastle Disease, which has caused 12 outbreaks this year resulting in another 1.2 million birds being culled.

The timing creates a critical supply gap for Easter on April 20. Farms affected in December and January require approximately five months to rebuild—from purchasing chicks to producing the first eggs—meaning they will miss the Easter period entirely when demand reaches its seasonal peak.

Germany reports daily shortage of 3-4 million eggs

Germany is experiencing acute shortages as the country produces only 72% of its domestic needs and relies heavily on Dutch imports, which have collapsed due to HPAI restrictions. The German market now faces a daily shortage of 3-4 million eggs.

Major retailers including Aldi and Rewe are reporting completely empty shelves in some regions, particularly in Swabia. Prices have jumped 25%—an unprecedented increase for this time of year.

The Dutch province of North Limburg has been severely affected by avian flu. EU regulations prevent eggs from affected surveillance zones from being exported, even though they are perfectly safe to eat. Dutch egg producers in restricted zones are being forced to sell high-quality eggs at steep discounts to industrial processors for use in pasta and baked goods.

Easter demand compounds supply pressure

Easter is placing massive additional pressure on an already constrained market. The combination of limited supply and strong seasonal demand is creating conditions for substantial price spikes in March and April. Retailers warn it will take several more weeks before shelves are reliably restocked, with specialty products like organic eggs particularly difficult to source.

European egg prices have been climbing across production systems. Caged eggs for industrial use increased 10.5% to €2.50 per kilogram EXW, while free-range eggs for industrial use gained 5.09% to €2.89 per kilogram.

Ukrainian egg imports are continuing despite new tariffs of €30.40 per 100kg implemented in January 2026. Ukrainian producers maintain cost advantages through cheaper feed and lower labor costs, with large producers shifting focus toward processed products like egg powder and albumin where higher profit margins make it easier to absorb tariffs.

U.S. markets face parallel supply crisis

The United States has lost nearly 4 million laying hens to HPAI in the first five weeks of 2026. Recent cullings include a 1.5 million bird flock in Colorado and a 722,000 bird operation in Pennsylvania.

CME spot prices for conventional caged white eggs surged 127.25% to 126.35 cents per dozen FOB, while cage-free white eggs increased 47.94% to 106.19 cents per dozen. Mid-January’s Arctic cold snap drove consumers to increase home cooking and baking, amplifying the price response.

Market outlook

Prices are expected to continue climbing through March and April as Easter demand impacts a market with insufficient supply. Producers that experienced massive cullings will not return to market in time for the holiday, locking in the Easter shortage.

Ukrainian imports will provide some relief but cannot compensate for the millions of birds lost across Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands. Looking past Easter, a quick return to previous price levels is unlikely. The market should experience some relief by late summer as new flocks mature, though egg prices will likely settle at levels well above what was considered high last year.


This article is part of a more comprehensive market analysis. For the full analysis, visit: https://app.vespertool.com/market-analysis/2671