Customers at Aldi and Sainsbury's have been shocked by an egg shortage in stores.
Supermarket giant Sainsbury's among other competing shops Tesco and Lidl are displaying signs in stores warning shoppers of supply issues. A Lidl branch has already started rationing, with a limit of three boxes per customer.
One Sainsbury's shopper at the supermarket's Urmston store, said: "I wasn't aware the shortage was widespread till coming to the store today, a lot of the shelves are bare with limited choice on free range eggs. I hope this doesn't become long-term food insecurity.
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"It's annoying to think I might have to travel out to more than one store to find basic food."
Another shopper said: "It's an issue we'll all currently have to deal with, but I'm worried about bakeries, cafés, and restaurants that need the supplies for their businesses - will they struggle with the general public too?"
And another customer pointed out the Sainsbury's sign displayed on the shelves that read: "We are currently experiencing supply issues across our fresh eggs range, we are working hard to resolve these and apologise for any inconvenience caused."
It comes as shortages have been explained by farmers 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 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.
The BFREPA said in a statement: "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. Spending on fuel has grown by 30%, while labour and packaging also costs more."
Simon Mellin, CEO and founder of Modern Milkman said: "Inflation and rising costs are having an exponential impact on us all, but it’s the lasting effect it’s set to have on British farming that’s extremely worrying.
"The cost of produce production is increasing and without fair pay for crops, the fact is farmers simply won’t take the risk to their livelihood, ultimately harvesting a lower yield."
A shopper at Aldi's in Trafford Park said: "Farmers have lost confidence because supermarkets aren't matching the rising costs. Despite bonus profits from these big retailers, they won't pay egg producers a fair amount so they're selling at a loss."
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.
Modern Milkman is part of a sustainable and eco-conscious milkround, Simon Mellin added: "There is an alarming lack of support from national government and the supermarket industry is failing to offer British farmers fair pay, despite raising the retail price for everyday consumers. We have seen the price of shop-bought milk and eggs rise by a third (27%) over the last 12 months and this will have a detrimental impact on the future of the grocery supply chain.
"With an anticipated 20% drop in produce production in 2023, we can expect to see even more rationing of purchases, similar to the restrictions currently in place for purchasing eggs at major supermarket chains."
An Aldi customer at Chadderton said: "I can imagine egg suppliers, given what I know, are under threat and with drastic hikes in prices for many things they are right to seek fairer pay. If it's not feasible to sell eggs as a produce you would have to stop and look at other ways to create a livelihood."
As the shortage grips the UK and shoppers are told to ration purchases, shoppers' were reminded of the cutbacks led by Covid-19.
"An egg shortage will happen given the general public's response to a crisis, and if the toilet saga was anything to go by," another said. "I just hope anyone thinking of stockpiling eggs realises they have little shelf life."
In response to that, another Aldi shopper said: "It would be annoying to feel like your in competition with shoppers just to get something we are so readily use to being available. Really, I don't want to be running around and embarrassing myself to secure some eggs."
Customers from both stores found British free-range eggs to be low in stock, while Sainsbury's has resorted to temporarily sourcing eggs from Italy, as they continue to ensure customers can buy what they need.
Simon Mellin, CEO and founder of Modern Milkman said: “Following the recent retailer price rise for both milk and eggs, we have seen a trend emerge for customers looking to buy products online, with searches for buying eggs online reaching a high from 6th November – and it remains constant.
"At the Modern Milkman we’re loyal to our independent British farmers, which is why we recognise the current challenges that they’re facing and have recently increased the price we pay our egg farmers by 20%. It is a priority that we as a business, continue to provide an ethical grocery delivery service for our customers whilst contributing towards a thriving future for UK-based producers.”
Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: “While avian flu has disrupted the supply of some egg ranges, retailers are experts at managing supply chains and are working hard to minimise impact on customers.
"Some stores have introduced temporary limits on the number of boxes customers can buy to ensure availability for everyone.”
“Furthermore, retailers have long-standing, established relationships with their suppliers and know how important maintaining these are for their customers and businesses.
"Supermarkets source the vast majority of their food from the UK and know they need to pay a sustainable price to egg farmers but are constrained by how much additional cost they can pass onto consumers during a cost-of-living crisis.”
Manchester Evening News has contacted Sainsbury's and Aldi for comment.
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