Egg producers warn of Easter shortage

A record January demand for eggs means it's "going to be close" as to whether there will be enough eggs for Easter, says the Association of Swiss Egg Producers.

Gallosuisse reported on Tuesday that instead of the usual post-Christmas lull, demand actually increased in January. Normally demand for Easter doesn’t start until February.

Swiss hens have their work cut out, with Gallosuisse saying that in the run-up to Easter monthly production will increase by nine per cent – or three million eggs – on 2008.

However producers are wary about building more stalls, as hens continue laying in summer when eggs are less in demand.

In 2007 a total of 654 million Swiss eggs were consumed – the equivalent of just under two eggs a week per inhabitant.