Egg Price Surge Causes Widespread Complaints... 'MacMorning' Temporarily Suspended in Australia

Egg Price Surge Drives Franchise Menu Prices Up
Global Average Egg Price Soars 60% Since 2019
As a Result, Australia Temporarily Suspends 'MacMorning'

Recently, the operation of McDonald's 'McMorning' in Australia was temporarily suspended, with the unusually soaring egg prices being cited as the reason. McMorning is a menu sold only in the early morning and morning at McDonald's, featuring cheese and fried eggs.

The US Financial Times (FT) reported on the 30th of last month (local time) that "franchise menu prices are rising due to soaring egg prices." At Costco, a large warehouse store in the US, eggs sold out early, and restaurants selling menus such as omelets and sandwiches are raising prices.

On the 25th of last month (local time), a customer was passing by the egg display at a grocery store in San Anselmo, California, USA.
[Image source=Getty Images Yonhap News]

According to FT, the global average egg price has surged 60% compared to 2019. Especially this year, the rise in egg prices in the US is fierce. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price of eggs distributed in the US last month rose 28.1% compared to the same month last year. This is the largest increase among all food items. While overall grocery prices rose slightly as inflation eased, egg prices soared unusually. According to market information platform Datasembly, the average egg price in the US surged 83% compared to October 2019. Currently, the average price for 12 eggs is $3.20 (about 4,200 won), which is about twice as expensive as before the COVID-19 pandemic.

McMorning product image
Photo by McDonald's

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics stated, "We have been tracking egg prices since 1980, and except for the impact of COVID-19, egg prices have never jumped like this." In addition, egg prices in countries such as Europe, India, Australia, and Japan have surged by more than 50-90% compared to 2019.

The main cause of the rise in egg prices is avian influenza (AI). According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 101 million chickens have died in 48 states in the US due to avian influenza since January 2022. From November last year to July this year, 33 million chickens were culled. As a result, in July, the egg shipments from US poultry farms decreased by 2.6% compared to the previous year. Also, demand for eggs increased as a cheaper protein source than meat, and the war in Ukraine causing a sharp rise in feed prices is also cited as a cause.

FT explained, "There are signs that price stability will be secured as laying hen stocks gradually increase, but the problem depends on whether avian influenza will occur additionally this winter."