Tesco has become the latest UK supermarket to bring in limits on the number of eggs customers can buy. Supply issues have seen three of the largest supermarkets here rationing eggs.
The limit in place in Tesco allows each customer three boxes of eggs, despite early claims it had “good availability”. Lidl also has a three-box limit to customers in place and Asda has a two-box restriction, reports the MirrorOnline.
The measure has reportedly been taken as a “precaution” by Tesco as it continues to work with supply partners. Rival firms, including Sainsbury's and Morrisons, are yet to put any restrictions on their supply of eggs.
It comes as the UK battles its largest-ever outbreak of avian flu - but that is by far the only thing affecting supplies. Further complicating matters is farmers facing rising prices on essentials such as the price of chicken feed which has spiked due to the Ukraine war as well as sky-high energy costs.
Some supermarkets have even been forced to put security tags on foods such as cheese and Lurpak because of shoplifters. Households face their annual food shopping bills increasing by £380 this year due to the soaring price of groceries.
Figures from analysts Kantar show that grocery price inflation jumped to 8.3% over the four weeks to June 12. That is an increase on 7% in May, and the highest level since April 2009.
The rising cost of food, combined with increases in energy bills, petrol and the general cost of living, has led supermarkets to add more anti-theft devices to food. They are normally found on high-value meat, alcohol and cosmetics, but are now being fitted to things like butter and cheese as the cost of living escalates.
One Asda store has fitted security devices to 500g tubs of Lurpak. The cost of Lurpak has been rising and a single tub now costs £7.25 in some supermarkets.
Earlier, the Department Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) 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."
