Shoppers got used to seeing purchasing rationing during the pandemic and while we hoped this was a thing of the past, Lidl has posted new 'three-item per person' notices. The supermarket giant is one of the first to post such notices but other retailers are expected to follow as a product shortage is on the horizon.
An egg shortage has led retailers to take action. Chains such as Tesco and Sainsbury's have also placed notices in store alerting customers to the shortages and Aldi shoppers have also noticed an egg shortage on the shelves and on its click and collect service
The Lidl notice was spotted by one customer and posted online. It states the store is implementing a ration of three egg boxes per customer. It isn't clear how many stores are implementing this same measure. However, Manchester Evening News, which first spotted the post, says it has contacted Lidl, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Aldi for comment. We'll update readers when we hear back. Meanwhile, pub chain Wetherspoon has warned customers the "temporary supply issues" may mean its breakfast menu is altered in some pubs.
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Shoppers across Nottinghamshire and the rest of the country have been sharing photos from in stores, showing bare shelves where eggs should be. One Sainsbury's customer posted an image online showing signs 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." And a 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 added: "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.
Egg supplies under threat - why?
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.
There has also been a knock-on effect of birds dying during the heatwave this summer. However, the Department of 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 38 million so it's unlikely to affect the overall supply."
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