Customers could possibly be hit with larger egg costs as UK farmers cut back their flock numbers, in response to escalating prices and inadequate revenue margins.
The numbers of chicks being positioned by egg producers in April was down 15% yr on yr, based on the newest authorities figures.
Egg farmers have been warning for months that a “tidal wave” of rising prices in feed, power, labour and packaging was not being mirrored in retail costs.
They've criticised supermarkets for ignoring business warnings, with a main producer telling delegates on the British Pig and Poultry Honest final week he anticipated a scarcity of eggs later this yr given the cuts in chick placings.
The federal government knowledge, printed on Thursday, confirms a decline in producers restocking their flocks with new birds. The variety of eggs being set by hatcheries fell even additional in April, down 35% on the earlier yr.
The variety of chicks being positioned by egg producers signifies the variety of eggs that will likely be obtainable to shoppers within the months forward.
Hen eggs take about 21 days to hatch, however chicks don't begin laying till they're aged about 20 weeks. Any discount in chicks now won't have an effect on the supply of eggs till the autumn.
The present hens on farms will proceed producing eggs till they're 70 to 80 weeks previous, however the total flock inhabitants will fall as hens will not be changed.
“It’s displaying what we have been predicting, that there will likely be a scarcity until retailers reply by elevating costs,” mentioned Robert Gooch, chief govt of the British FreeRange Egg Producers Affiliation.
Gooch says producers want a 3p per egg value enhance to forestall a a lot greater value rise when provides fall later this yr. Retail egg costs in Might have been up by about 8%, or 15p, per half dozen from final yr, based on Trolley.co.uk, a grocery store value tracker.
“In case you have been being profitable you wouldn’t do it [not restock]. You solely do it as a result of you'll be able to’t make a revenue. It’s a disaster for producers and it'll translate right into a disaster for shoppers later this yr,” mentioned Gooch.
Andrew Opie, from the British Retail Consortium, mentioned supermarkets sourced most of their meals from the UK and “know they should pay a sustainable value to farmers to make sure British eggs stay on the cabinets”.
A spokesperson for the British Egg Business Council mentioned chick placements did traditionally rise and fall relying on components akin to how lengthy producers determine to maintain their current hens earlier than changing them. “Nonetheless, with the present value disaster, some producers are selecting to not repopulate their homes.”
A spokesperson for the Division for Setting, Meals and Rural Affairs mentioned: “We recognise the challenges confronted by the egg business, together with the continuing affect of Avian Influenza and elevated enter prices – and are persevering with to watch the scenario, working carefully with stakeholders.”
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