Supermarket giant Lidl has been forced to ration one of its most popular products. With a product shortage on the horizon, shoppers are being limited to three boxes per person.
Retail chains Tesco and Sainsbury's have also placed notices in stores. Aldi shoppers have also noticed an egg shortage in stores and on its click and collect service.
A notice implementing the ration of three egg boxes per customers has been put in place, according to a picture posted online. It isn't clear how many stores are implementing this same measure. Meanwhile, pub chain Wetherspoon has warned customers that the "temporary supply issues" may mean its breakfast menu is altered in some boozers.
READ MORE: Costa customers dumbfounded by code hidden in the logo on every takeaway cup
Shoppers have been sharing photos from in stores, showing bare shelves where eggs should be. One Tesco customer posted an image on Twitter showing signs that read: "Due to the hot summer we are currently experiencing low availability across our egg range.
"Sorry for any inconvenience." Another photo posted from inside a Sainsbury’s showed a sign that read: "We are currently experiencing supply issues across our fresh egg range.
"We are working hard to resolve these and apologise for any inconvenience caused." Similarly, an Aldi shopper tweeted: "Have you stopped selling fresh eggs online because of bird flu? I could not add any to my click and collect order. I will have to buy them from somewhere else now separately." Another said: "I shan't be shopping at your Great Barr store any more. A lot of the shelves were bear [sic]. No eggs again."
And one Lidl customer asked: "Why have you no eggs in your stores?" Another Lidl shop has started rationing eggs, according to a picture posted by Grocery Insight CEO Steve Dresser.
A sign read: "Eggs are limited to three units per customer to ensure that everyone has the essentials they need." Andrew Opie, Director of Food and Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, which represents the UK supermarkets, said stores are "working hard" to " minimise impact on customers".
He said: "While avian flu has disrupted the supply of some egg ranges, retailers are experts at managing supply chains."
It comes as the price of a box of a dozen eggs has already risen by more than 22%, according to official figures. Here is what you need to know.
Why are egg supplies under threat?
Farmers are being hit by a mixture of rising prices and an outbreak of bird flu.
The British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) told the BBC farmers were being squeezed by the price of chicken feed - which has spiked due to the Ukraine war - and sky-high energy costs. Its members claim they've only received between 5p and 10p more despite the price of a dozen eggs rising by about 45p in the supermarkets since March.
"Feeding hens is now at least 50% more expensive than it was, and energy prices have soared in the same way that consumers have seen their domestic bills rise," the BFREPA said in a statement. Spending on fuel has grown by 30%, while labour and packaging also costs more."
A recent survey of 163 farmers affiliated with the BFREPA show 33% have already reduced or stopped their egg production. Farmers are also suffering following the biggest ever outbreak of Avian Influenza, which has resulted in millions of birds being culled or killed.
There has also been a knock-on effect of birds dying during the heatwave this summer. However, the Department Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has denied there are any supply chain issues.
A spokesperson said: "We understand the difficulties the bird flu outbreak is causing for farmers, however the laying hen population is approximately 38million so it's unlikely to affect the overall supply."
Manchester Evening News has contacted Lidl, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Aldi for comment.
READ NEXT:
- Aldi shoppers go wild for £30 homeware Special Buy that's 'the same as' £300 designer version
Argos and Amazon shoppers go wild for £56 oven that costs less than an air fryer to run
Aldi introduces new policy that affects all of its 900+ UK stores
McDonald's fans 'shaken to the core' after learning what's put in Sweet 'n' Sour dip
Shein shopper in awe of £8 dress that looks SO expensive people think its £1000 Chanel
