Eggs are scarce because some suppliers provide only 15 per cent of their supply, says a supermarket official. A tray of 30 eggs, which used to cost Dh13, now costs Dh15.

There is a 60 to 85 per cent shortage following the ban on Saudi eggs recently due to bird flu, resulting in around 15 to 55 per cent price rise.

The prices of locally produced eggs have risen 10 to 20 per cent and imported egg prices from 40 to 55 per cent, according to market officials. The absence of Indian eggs which were banned four months ago has added to the problem.

Eggs are scarce because some suppliers provide only 15 per cent of the regular supply, said an official of the Emke Group, which owns 47 supermarkets, including Lulu hypermarkets, in the country.

A tray of 30 medium size local eggs, which used to cost Dh12 to Dh13, now costs Dh14 to Dh15. Imported eggs in the same category have risen to Dh16 to Dh17.