Egg prices up to meet demand as avian influenza case confirmed
Published on The Grocer
Egg prices have risen by as much as 7% in the space of a month across the major multiples.
The staple own-label free range lines in Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons have increased by between 3% and 7% since last month, according to The Grocer’s analysis of Assosia data.
Tesco Medium Free Range Eggs and Sainsbury’s Medium Free Range Eggs have both increased by 6.7% since this time in October, rising from £1.50 to £1.60.
The large versions of these lines also increased by 5.4% in the period, bringing the cost per pack to £1.95.
Morrisons own-label free range SKUs also rose in the period, by 3.3% to £1.55 for medium and 2.7% to £1.90 for large.
There have also been some rises in branded egg products. St Ewe’s 6 Medium Free Range Eggs in Tesco, for example, rose by 4.8% this month – contributing to an annual price rise of 22.2%.
Tesco said it remained competitive across its egg ranges, and was continuing to support its egg producers using long-term contracts and its poultry feed model.
Egg prices have remained largely steady and relatively low over the past year and a half. The last shift in pricing was in the egg crisis of winter 2022/23, when short supply resulted in gaps on shelves and higher prices.
The Grocer understands input prices for producers including feed have been stable, but demand has increased across caged, barn and free range.
Caged and barn have been driving this shift, as consumers switch to more economical options, according to one industry source.
The price rises come in the same week as the first case of bird flu was confirmed since February.
The UK’s chief veterinary officer is urging all bird keepers to follow scrupulous biosecurity measures.
Published on The Grocer, 7th November 2024