Australians are being encouraged to keep pavlova and other festive favourites like custard trifle and potato salad on the menu this holiday season as the egg industry continues to bounce back from avian influenza incidents earlier in the year.
The efforts of the poultry industries and authorities to detect, contain and eradicate avian influenza during winter has ensured that production could continue, and farmers were able to focus on the recovery to meet increased demand around the festive season.
"It didn't always feel like it, but national egg production was still strong despite the avian influenza losses, with egg farmers producing 18 million every day at the lowest point," said Rowan McMonnies, Managing Director of Australian Eggs. "This has increased across spring with the gaps getting much smaller, so festive egg dishes like 'Mum's Pav' will still be on the menu this Christmas."
"For anyone concerned about availability, our tip is to buy eggs in the coming weeks as they have a long shelf life and will stay fresh in the fridge right through to the new year," said McMonnies, adding "another tip is to look a bit broader than your usual store. The disruption means a few stores will run low but others will be stacked to the ceiling as there are still eggs about."
"With time left to think it through there is no reason to limit it to the classic pavlova this Christmas when there are so many new recipes to wow the crowd. Maybe a Bibingka dessert is more your scene."
For those looking for inspiration, Australian Eggs has a range of free and festive recipes available on the website to help Aussies have an egg-cellent holiday season.
