Food products with egg ingredients cost more and some industries are struggling, not just in New Zealand but globally. Baking muffins and custard squares are no longer an option for consumers and business owners.

Due to a government ban on battery cages and the resulting egg shortage, prices have skyrocketed across the nation. The weighted average price of a dozen eggs has more than doubled over the past five years, according to data from the Food Price Index.

Some companies charge one dollar per egg. A carton of six Otaika Valley free-range eggs costs $6.90 at Countdown Crofton Downs in Wellington, and a carton of 18 eggs costs $18.70.

Owner of Sweet Vanilla Kitchen Cheryl McIvor revealed that in order to reduce costs, she now uses three different egg suppliers each week instead of just one.  When she used to order egg trays, they were about $11.95 for a tray of 30, but now they cost $15.95 plus GST for a tray of 20.  Going to three different suppliers meant spending more time and money.

Sweet Vanilla Kitchen had to stop producing keto custard squares because the recipe called for too many eggs.

Owner of Flùr Sarah Mackenzie stated that she had noticed an increase in egg prices and was aware that it was hurting businesses. She used to pay about 50 cents per egg, but now she was paying about 75 cents per egg. She purchased three trays of 30 eggs from Moore Wilson’s for about $50 and used about 98 eggs per week.

The nation needed about 3.8 million more egg-laying hens than it currently had in order to ensure a steady supply of eggs.