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Why have eggs disappeared from Parisian supermarkets?

undefined undefined 8 janvier 2026 undefined 07h30

undefined undefined 8 janvier 2026 undefined 17h51

The Editor

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In recent days, you may have noticed while shopping that an ingredient that forms the basis of many people's diets is missing from the shelves: eggs. So, what’s causing this dramatic shortage?

It's simply an eggseptionnel situation. For a few days now, eggs have really disappeared from the capital, and considering the importance of this staple, it's easy to see why people are making a big fuss about it. Because let's face it, eggs are an inexpensive source of protein with endless preparation possibilities that delight even the most vegetarian of us. This is truly a disastrous absence, explained in various ways, but it’s starting to break our hearts (when it comes to the shells). 


Tough times for eggs

You may not have noticed before, but the situation has been deteriorating in the egg aisles of the capital for several months now. There are empty shelves, and p&... Regular shortages, boxes of 4 or 20 as a last resort… The “tension in the egg market” is not a new issue, according to Alice Richard, the director of the egg interprofession, who was interviewed by 20 Minutes.

A more and more complicated situation, which is justified by a crazy increase in egg consumption in recent years. Indeed, by 2025, the consumption per person has jumped from 225 to 240 eggs per year. This overconsumption is particularly driven by inflation, which leads many Parisians to replace meat with another, cheaper source of protein, further exacerbated by holiday excesses.


Hens in a bind

But here’s the thing, such consumption comes at a cost, and our poor French hens just can’t keep up with the demand. To remedy the situation, new chicken coops are set to be built in the country in the coming months, to help manage the phenomenon as best as possible. In the meantime, we’re cutting back a bit on the egg consumption.

brunchs, we replace these little wonders with soft cheese, and we say goodbye to soft-boiled eggs for the next few weeks. We know it's tough, but we believe in you.