Taipei: Reports of empty egg shelves at some retail outlets do not indicate a nationwide shortage, the Agriculture Ministry said Friday, attributing the issue to delayed contract negotiations between retailers and egg suppliers while insisting overall egg supplies remain sufficient.

According to Focus Taiwan, the ministry stated that delayed contract talks had slowed egg deliveries to some stores. It has launched a coordination mechanism to help ensure eggs are stocked on shelves as soon as possible. The ministry's recent inspections found no widespread shortages across retail channels, indicating that the issue appears to be limited to certain outlets.

The ministry acknowledged that supplies of graded eggs have fluctuated temporarily as poultry farmers cull older laying hens and introduce new flocks. However, it emphasized that this transition has not resulted in a large-scale shortage and that overall egg production remains sufficient. Local media has reported shortages of packaged eggs at some supermarkets in recent weeks, particularly brown eggs. Industry groups attributed the tighter supply to hot weather and molting hens, both of which have reduced egg production. The ministry said supplies are expected to stabilize in August as replacement hens begin laying.

In response to reports of reduced brown egg supplies, the ministry noted that white eggs account for about 80 percent of Taiwan's egg consumption, while brown eggs make up only a small share of the market. It further explained that white-shell hens generally have higher laying rates than brown-shell breeds and emphasized that shell color is determined by genetics, not by nutritional value, taste, or quality.

The ministry assured that it will continue monitoring egg production and market conditions while working with producers, distributors, and the state-run Central Livestock Industry Association to maintain stable supplies and prices.