UK: Will a quarter of British egg producers quit the sector?

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Published Feb 27, 2024

Tridge summary

A National Farmers Union survey indicates that up to 25% of UK egg producers and 15% of broiler farmers may leave the industry within two years due to low profits, increasing production costs, and the risk of avian influenza. The study also discovered that over 30% of both broiler and laying hen farmers have no intention to invest in their businesses in the forthcoming years. The NFU is urging for more fairness in poultry supply chains, inclusion in the Energy Intensive Industries Scheme, and a long-term government strategy to manage future avian influenza outbreaks.

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Original content

Results from a survey of British egg and poultry meat producers has shown widespread concerns about the future. Nearly a quarter of eggs producers and 15% of broiler farmers said they might leave the industry in the next 2 years. The main reason given in the survey, carried out by the National Farmers Union, was poor returns due to a significant rise in the cost of production, and the ongoing concern about the risk of avian influenza. While the last few months have only seen very few cases of avian influenza in commercial flocks, with just 4 since October 2023, the egg sector has been rocked by the news that bird flu has been confirmed in a 48,000 free-range layer flock near Hutton Cranswick, East Yorkshire. Producers are also upset about the lack of fairness in the supply chain and being undercut by imports from countries such as Ukraine and Poland. The NFU is also calling for greater fairness in poultry supply chains, for producers to be included in the Energy Intensive ...

Source: Poultryworld