Talks are on over putting rations on eggs or importing from Poland amid reports that the country is facing acute shortage and price rise of eggs, stated a recent report.
Three senior supermarket sources told The Sun that there were now urgent talks across the industry about how to cope with an egg crisis.
According to analysis from data analysts Assosia, just over 40 per cent of the 149 fresh egg lines currently sold in all major retailers have seen price increases of at least 15 per cent between the new year and the first week of November, with largest price rise of 51.4 per cent was seen in a leading supermarket as compared to the start of the year.
While shoppers are now paying 20p more for a dozen eggs, farmers are only receiving another 4p, The Sun reported, quoting a Wales-based farmer who accused supermarkets for not paying egg farmers enough.
A spokesman for the British Egg Industry Council said “Egg supply is fairly tight at present, however, availability does naturally fluctuate in terms of supply and demand and the industry is working closely with retailers to ensure we are able to continue to meet consumer demand for British Lion eggs.”
The issues were “not surprising”, considering struggling producers had been calling for greater returns since March, suggested CEO for the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA), Robert Gooch.
“Price rises are now coming through rapidly, and some of our members have been offered a 15p increase on condition they extend contracts. But it’s been too little, too late.”
Britain typically consumes 13.5 billion eggs. Last year the UK produced 11.3 billion eggs and had to import another 1.4 billion to meet demand. The majority of UK eggs are free-range with just over a third produced by hens in cages.
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