An array of supermarkets, including the likes of Aldi, Lidl, Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury's, have been warned by British egg farmers their shelves could be empty of eggs. The farming sector is considering a mass exodus due to a lack of support amid spiralling costs.
Egg prices vary greatly in supermarkets depending on how the chickens are kept and raised. However, prices can be sold as low as around 8p an egg. Asda is currently selling 15 Smart Price eggs for £1.18, which works out at 7.9p each.
The British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) said the cost of feeding hens has jumped 50%, while energy prices have increased by 40%. It added that fuels costs have increased by 30%, as firms have also had to swallow more expensive labour and packaging.
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Farmers have previously called on supermarkets to increase their egg prices due to soaring feed and energy costs in the production process. However, the industry has now warned that farmers are considering stopping production at the end of their current flock after their demands were ignored.
The industry body was reported by Liverpool Echo as saying it has asked Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Aldi, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, and Waitrose to raise prices to help, without any success. It said the price of free-range and organic eggs in supermarkets are now below a level whereby farmers can break even, calling for at least a 40p increase per dozen eggs.
A survey of egg producers by BFREPA found that 51% of farmers are "seriously considering stopping production" until the price they are paid improves. A further 18% said they will make their decisions at the end of their current flock.
Robert Gooch, chief executive officer of the trade group, said: "There are clear and obvious cost increases being heaped upon farmers, and retailers simply aren't sufficiently adjusting the retail price. Any increases being made are too little and too slow. They are suffocating businesses. This is nothing more than supermarkets putting cheap food marketing tactics above the needs of the primary producer."
