‘Let them eat chocolate’: Woolies’ clever solution to egg shortage

A photo has shown the lengths one Woolies store has gone to in order to deal with an issue that’s plagued Australia for months.

A Woolworths supermarket has come up with a crafty solution in response to Australia’s ongoing egg shortage — replacing fresh eggs with shelves full of Easter eggs.

A Reddit post that quickly gained traction showed an Aussie Woolies store where the fridge section usually meant for eggs was now packed with rows of Cadbury chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies.

“Local Woolies stocking the egg section with Easter eggs due to egg shortage,” read the post’s title.

Australia continues to grapple with egg shortages, with increased consumer demand and ongoing avian influenza outbreaks to blame.

One Woolies store has come up with a clever solution to the egg shortage, replacing fresh eggs with chocolate eggs. Picture: Reddit

According to the ABC, Australia has lost over 10 per cent of its laying hens to bird flu in the past year, resulting in the culling of 2.4 million birds.

Woolworths, Coles, and IGA have enforced purchasing limits of two cartons in several states to help manage the supply issue.

Industry experts have cautioned that supply shortages might continue for another three years, with recovery not expected until at least 2028, owing to market conditions and the constant threat of disease outbreaks.

Cost of living pressures have further increased demand, as households turn to eggs, viewing them as a more affordable protein source compared to meat.

However, egg prices continue to climb due to the combined effects of the shortage and rising demand.

Shifting dietary preferences have also contributed to the heightened demand, as more people turn to vegetarian and high-protein diets while the nation’s population continues to grow.

Despite this, Woolworths said in February that its egg supply has “continued to improve” as it seeks to “source as many eggs as possible”.

There has been a purchasing limit put on eggs in some areas around the country. Picture: Newswire

In the comments of the post, shoppers expressed their frustration about the persistent egg shortage across the country.

One user wrote, “There have been so many supply issues with eggs over the years that I basically forgot they exist”.

“With the overpriced chocolate eggs prices, it will make regular egg prices seem like a bargain in comparison when they eventually restock,” quipped another commenter.

Some referred to the scenario as a “smart” move to alleviate the eyesore of empty shelves.

A few users then speculated that an oversupply of chocolate eggs might have influenced the decision to stock them instead of fresh eggs.

“From what I gather, they have an oversupply of chocolate eggs due to pricing, so this cleverly balances the supply and demand situation,” remarked one.

Others simply joked about the situation.

“This isn’t going to help my protein macros,” said one.

“Let them eat chocolate!” chuckled another.

The price of Easter eggs in the last few months have raised eyebrows. Picture: Reddit

It comes after Aussies have shared their surprise at the price of Easter eggs in recent months, with some labelling it “a joke”.

Rising cocoa prices have driven up the cost of the popular festive treats by as much as 20 per cent, and it seems the increase has been passed on to consumers.

One shopper criticised the current prices of beloved Easter favourites like Lindt Gold Bunnies and Cadbury Dairy Milk Eggs, declaring on social media that “Easter is cancelled”.

“One Lindt bunny on its own is $18?!” TikTok user @carinanatalie0 wrote in a video taken from her local Coles supermarket, showing the price of various Easter eggs on shelves, including a Cadbury Humpty Dumpty for $9.50, a 350g Cadbury Dairy Milk egg for $20 and $9 for a packet of Coles brand mini eggs.

“We’re working hard to absorb costs where possible while reimagining how we can bring joy at Easter time,” a Cadbury statement issued to news.com.au read.

Originally published as ‘Let them eat chocolate’: Woolies’ clever solution to egg shortage