If you’ve been following the news, you might have heard murmurs of an impending egg shortage. Panic buyers are probably hoarding trays of eggs as we speak, envisioning an apocalyptic future where a single sunny-side-up costs as much as a Wagyu steak.

But hold onto your omelets, folks! According to the country’s egg producers, there’s no shortage at all. In fact, they’re warning of a possible egg glut, meaning we’re about to have more eggs than we know what to do with.

So why the scare? Why are some people whispering about a looming crisis while the egg farmers are practically drowning in surplus? The answer, dear reader, is simple: opportunism. Where there is fear, there is profit to be made, and unscrupulous traders are rubbing their hands together like cartoon villains, ready to make their move.

Despite having more eggs than a well-stocked poultry farm, certain middlemen and traders could start implementing gradual price hikes, blaming imaginary supply chain issues or conveniently “unexpected” production downturns.

It’s a classic case of artificial inflation — manipulating public perception to drive up prices while supplies sit pretty in warehouses, waiting for consumers to fork over more money for what should be a dirt-cheap commodity.

We’ve seen this playbook before. Remember the sugar crisis that turned into a price-gouging bonanza? How about the onion fiasco that had us weeping over P700-per-kilo bulbs? Now it’s the egg industry’s turn in the spotlight.

The pattern is as predictable as a morning rooster’s crow: first, spread whispers of a shortage; second, let the panic simmer; third, hike the prices and blame market forces; and finally, rake in the profits while the consumers scramble to adjust.

The irony? The same people crying about “egg shortage” are the ones in possession of overflowing stocks. It’s the culinary equivalent of shouting “fire” in a packed theater while holding a hose behind your back.

Meanwhile, egg farmers are left scratching their heads because they know the truth — production is strong, and 2025 is set to outpace last year’s numbers. Yet, they might still see prices rise, not because of an actual supply problem, but because of well-timed market theatrics.

And let’s not forget the government’s role in this mess. By now, officials should know the script by heart: intervene early, regulate properly, and prevent another price surge before it happens. But as history has shown, the response is often sluggish, allowing traders to squeeze every peso they can from the unsuspecting public. It’s only when people start raising pitchforks (or spatulas) that action is taken, often too little, too late.

So, what’s the solution? For one, consumers need to stay informed and call out blatant price manipulation when they see it. If eggs are mysteriously becoming “scarce” despite reports of oversupply, demand transparency. And as for the traders playing the long con, maybe it’s time they get egg on their faces — metaphorically speaking, of course.

In the meantime, let’s not fall for the same old tricks. If anything, we should be preparing for an egg surplus, not a shortage.

So, go ahead, make that extra-large omelet, bake that cake, and enjoy your eggs while laughing at those who tried (and failed) to scramble the truth.

e-mail:mannyangeles27@gmail.com