Due to supply concerns, certain retailers, including Asda and Lidl, have begun limiting the number of egg cartons consumers may purchase.
Asda stated that consumers would be limited to purchasing two cartons of eggs until further notice, while Lidl supposedly imposes a limit of three cartons.
Farmers of chicken in the United Kingdom face increased expenses and an epidemic of avian flu.
It has begun to impact the supply of eggs and prompted fears of a Christmas turkey shortage.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported that several retailers had implemented “temporary limits” on the number of boxes customers could purchase “to ensure availability for everyone,” but did not identify them.
Sainsbury’s stated that it had not restricted purchases, but that some locations may be running out of certain products.
The grocery store, which had previously pledged to only purchase eggs from British suppliers, said it was “temporarily sourcing” eggs from Italy to maintain supply. It noted that they will be distinctly labeled.
Tesco stated that it had good availability with no purchasing restrictions, but was collaborating with producers to safeguard supplies.
Waitrose and Morrisons both claim they are not experiencing significant supply issues.
Cost pressures
This year, some British farmers are reducing or ceasing egg production due to increased prices. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has increased farmers’ energy costs, as well as the price of chicken feed, chicken, and packaging.
Farmers are also experiencing difficulties due to the avian influenza outbreak, which has resulted in the culling of 740,000 laying hens, although this is only a percentage of the total.
Due to the cooler weather, more people are baking at home, increasing the demand for eggs.
The British Free Range Egg Producers Association reported that a “huge number” of farmers “are losing a substantial amount of money and can no longer afford to produce eggs.”
In addition, the price supermarkets paid for eggs had not kept pace with inflation. Since March, supermarket prices have increased by approximately 45p per dozen, but only 5p has been passed on to producers, according to the report.
Robert Gooch, chief executive officer, stated, “We have been warning for months that if farmers are not paid a price that allows them to make a profit, there will be mass destocking or, worse, an exodus from the industry.”
He added that Sainsbury’s decision to carry Italian eggs was “a wake-up call to all retailers that they cannot expect farmers to work for free.”
Despite the deficit, supermarkets are doing everything they can to replenish their inventories, according to the BRC.
While avian flu has impacted the availability of some egg varieties, retailers are specialists at managing supply chains and are working hard to minimize customer damage, according to Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
In the three months leading up to September, around 10% fewer eggs were packed in the United Kingdom compared to the same period the previous year.
Farmers have compensated an average of 95,6 pence per dozen, a 7.7% rise on 2021 prices.
The Department of Environment, Food, and Agriculture was contacted for its opinion.
