Secretary for Food and Health York Chow said yesterday that a shortage of eggs in Hong Kong, from less mainland supply, is only temporary, and he suggested that suppliers increase their imports from other countries.

Addressing the Legislative Council, Chow said the supply decrease has resulted from more screening to ensure that exported eggs to Hong Kong are melamine-free.

"So, the egg suppliers are very careful in screening the source of eggs," he said.

He added that it is difficult to tell how long the shortage will last.

Chow said egg importers will look for alternative egg sources besides the mainland, which accounts for 60 percent of Hong Kong's egg supply.

For example, the egg suppliers have recently looked to Thailand.

Young Kam-yim, chief executive of the Egg Merchants' Association, said the average price of eggs has risen about 10 percent recently due to the shortage. Each box of eggs has risen from HK$230 to HK$260.

He noted that after the mainland increased screening of eggs for melamine, its supply plunged by 70 to 80 percent.

Kam-yim said he expects the retail price of eggs to remain high in the coming months.

Young said he will keep in contact with the Food and Health Bureau and hopes the government asks mainland authorities to quicken their screening.

Meanwhile, despite the rise in egg prices, the catering industry said it won't increase food prices.

A bakery shop owner cited the bad economy for not raising his prices.

"I'm afraid that if I increase the prices, customers will buy at cheaper bakeries," he said.

A fast food restaurant owner said he just increased food prices last month, and he doesn't plan on raising them again. He said he will continue using the same amount of eggs, as their price increase is small.

(HK Edition 11/11/2008 page1)