Egg purchase limits, orange juice shortage put Australia’s cafes on edge

Australian restaurants will struggle to absorb further price hikes or pass those costs to brunch diners, industry advocates say, as hospitality businesses respond to an avian influenza outbreak across several egg farms and a global shortage of oranges.

Agriculture Victoria says avian influenza has been detected in five egg farms across Meredith, Terang, and the Golden Plains Shire, necessitating the euthanisation of half a million chickens to prevent its spread to other farms.

The outbreak is likely to reduce short-term egg production by about 450,000 eggs a day, and supermarket giant Coles has imposed a two-carton purchase limit akin to the toilet paper limits grocers levelled during the COVID-19 pandemic.