Farmers warn of egg shortages as producers hit with hikes in production costs

Apr 19, 2022

Farmers warn of egg shortages as producers hit with hikes in production costs     

The survey found almost a quarter of egg producers were unsure if they would still be producing in November 2025.

British free range and organic egg farmers are considering halting production as major supermarkets refuse to help them cover spiralling feed and energy costs. 
 
New data shows scores of farms are considering stopping production at the end of their current flock – a decision which could remove hundreds of millions of eggs from retail shelves every year. 
 
Egg producers have been hit with huge hikes in production costs. Feeding hens is now 50% more expensive and energy prices have risen 40%. Spending on fuel has grown by 30%, while labour and packaging also costs more than it did six months ago. 
 
But despite warnings and pleas for help from the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA), the UK’s biggest supermarkets have yet to increase the price of free range and organic eggs to a level where many farms can break even. 
 
BFREPA surveyed egg producers last week and found that 51% of farmers are seriously considering stopping production until the price they are paid improves. More than 70% said they would leave egg production within a year if a price rise wasn’t forthcoming.  
 
Robert Gooch, CEO of BFREPA, said: “There are clear and obvious cost increases being heaped upon farmers, and retailers simply aren’t sufficiently adjusting the retail price. They are suffocating businesses.  
 
“This is nothing more than supermarkets putting cheap food marketing tactics above the needs of the primary producer. 
 
“Many of my members are losing money on every egg laid, and our data shows that even those who are making a small profit do not see a long-term future.” 
 
BFREPA says it has asked Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose for help – without success – and that they are “the only ones in the supply chain who can make a difference.” 
 
The organisation has called a Crisis Summit at the Pig and Poultry Fair on 10th May and invited representatives from each retailer to attend to discuss how to resolve the issue.