Moscow, Nov. 25 (Sputnik) -- Britain is in the grip of an egg famine, with some supermarkets running bare on egg shelves, Bloomberg reported.

Reports say outbreaks of bird flu in the United States and Europe have led to the culling of large numbers of poultry. As a result, egg prices topped U.S. food inflation in October. The Hungarian government has imposed a price cap on eggs.

Analysts say inflation has led to a general rise in food prices, with cash-strapped consumers shunning meat for cheaper protein-containing options. For example, eggs. In addition, eggs are usually in high demand during the winter, especially during the Christmas season.

It is also a problem that, given the nature of layer production, it is impossible to increase supply quickly. Phil Crowley, deputy chairman of the poultry council at the UK's National Farmers' Union, told Bloomberg: "We're not making small parts for beer cans. We have a bunch of live animals that will bring green products. The hen will bring what she can."

The report also said the UK egg market is likely to worsen as the Christmas season approaches.

Farmers say higher feed prices are cutting into the profits of raising chickens. According to a survey of members of the British Egg Producers' Association, a third of producers will either reduce the total number of chickens they produce, or stop breeding laying hens.