It is not known when eggs will be back in stores as normal. Nortura reports that Netavisen believes that the situation will improve only in June, and that there are uncertain factors at the same time.
One of the reasons it takes so long is that many farmers now choose to sell more eggs directly from their own farms.
Pandey-top DOr Jakob Solberg believes the course of action is clear.
– Everyone should understand that the price of eggs must rise so that it pays to produce more eggs. As it stands now, the result will be a complete disaster for consumers and farmers, Dør Jakob Solberg, president of the Norwegian Association of Farmers and Smallholders, tells Netavisen.
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– The pill is rotten
He believes the price hike will provide a better balance in the market.
– When overproduction occurs, prices are lowered and farmers are paid less. But when it is so low, the price should remain unchanged. He says it is rotten.
Netavisen asked Nordura and grocers why they did not raise prices to better balance demand and supply.
– We do not have the opportunity to comment on the prices for our customers, and the prices in the stores are set by the grocery chains, says Petersen at Nordura.
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– But is there any restriction on you raising the price?
– Egg prices in Norway are set twice a year according to regulations set by politicians. Prices do not change between these two periods. The advantage, says Peterson, is that both the farmer and the consumer get a fixed price.
But the obvious downside is that there will be empty egg shelves.
According to Nordura, they can lower the price once between the six-month changes, but they can't raise it.
– That's right – only down, no up, says Peterson. Otherwise, he points out, it is the politicians who set the rules for Nordura to follow.
– Hole in the cap
Solberg at Småbrukarlaget believes the answer to the problem is better regulation.
– There are many who want more markets and less regulation in agriculture. But when prices are raised to get more production, there will be complaints and screams and shouts, he adds:
– The first thing we want is production regulation, so that the farmer can produce the right amount, and people can find the eggs they need in the store, says Solberg.
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In an egg shortage situation, Solberg believes grocery chains have to shoulder more responsibility.
– Egg prices have been slashed even as grocers choose to campaign on eggs amid the egg crisis. It's a complete mess, he says.
Netavisen has asked the chains why they haven't raised prices to keep more eggs on the shelves.
Kiwi and Coop did not want to comment on prices for competitive reasons. Rema 1000 indicates that egg price is mostly determined based on purchase price from suppliers.
Nordura: – We are doing our best
The shortage of eggs has lasted since Christmas, and there is still some time for normal egg conditions.
– We expect the situation to improve from June onwards, communication consultant Martin Petersen further tells Netavision:
– He says that we do our best to ensure enough eggs for Norwegian consumers, but when choosing on the store shelves, factors beyond our control are also affected.
One thing that causes problems for Nardura is that many farmers have chosen to sell more eggs directly from their farms. As a result, Nordura got fewer eggs. Farmers can sell 15 percent eggs directly from their own farm.
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– Drop hoarding
– If more people buy directly from the farm or keep hoarding, it will definitely be out of stock in stores. That's why we encourage you to eat your existing eggs before buying fresh eggs, and not to buy more eggs than you need, says Peterson.
Koop believes that blaming hoarding is completely wrong.
– We note that some believe that hoarding customers and chains that sell eggs too cheaply are to blame for the egg shortage. Harald Christiansen, Director of Communications at Coop to Nettavisen, says that this is not correct and is a long-term situation.
He points out that Nortura's total price for the first half of 2024 remains unchanged.
– Pricing was fixed on 3rd October last year. Market regulator Nortura has yet to transfer prices to the manufacturer, Kristiansen says.
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