Aussie consumers can expect a price hike on eggs as a result of a severe drought in the US.

The Australian Egg Corporation Limited (AECL) has named soaring grain costs on the price rise of eggs.

The US drought is affecting corn and soybean crops in America’s mid-west resulting in famers paying more for grain, which is already the largest cost facing farmers when producing free fange, barn-laid and cage eggs.

Managing Director of the AECL, James Kellaway said that the higher cost of grain for farmers could result in a 50 cent price rise of eggs in shops.

Industry equality has been questioned with South Australian prodcuers fighting to keep up with eastern states.  The AECL has suggested increasing the free-range limit from 1 500 hens a hectare to 20 000.

Riverland egg producer Darren Letton of the Glen View Poultry Farm says he would support this change if the rules apply to all Australian free-range egg producers, not just the eastern states.

The introduction of new rules could help South Australian producers to keep up.