The ban introduced recently on the import of eggs from Saudi Arabia in the wake of the bird flu scare and traders' reluctance to import poultry products from elsewhere are being cited as the main factors behind the shortage.

A retail outlet in Hilal area of Doha said the rate of a dozen cartons of local eggs (360 pieces) had gone up to QR170 yesterday from QR150 just a day before. Some other outlets said they paid a little more than QR170 for a carton due to the short supply.

Retailers fix the price of eggs after taking into account broken pieces in a carton, which are normally one to two per cent.

Some outlets displayed notices apologising to customers for not having enough supplies. Then there were others who said they did not have eggs at all.

Traders said the shortage was simply because the demand was more than the supply. Supplies are affected since eggs are not produced enough locally to take care of the demand and imports from Saudi Arabia have stopped.

Source: The Peninsula