Farmers warn of British egg shortage for Christmas due to bird flu and rising costs

Concerns are being raised by farmers that the UK may be faced with an egg shortage this Christmas. This is due to a combination of the ongoing outbreak of bird flu and rising costs.

The British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) warned earlier this year that many members were “losing 5-10p” of a 45p rise in the sale of eggs at retail level.

The group asked for a 40p rise per dozen eggs at retail level and for additional money to be then distributed to producers. However, BFREPA have said that this extra money has not been passed down the chain.

The outbreak of bird flu has also required many birds across the country to be culled to try and tackle the spread. On November 7 the UK government announced all birds needed to be kept inside until further notice.

This comes as Asda have put in place a limit of two boxes of eggs per customer over shortages fears.

A spokesperson for BFREPA said: "In March we asked for a 40p per dozen rise in egg prices at retail level, and for the additional money to be passed down the chain to producers. While egg prices have risen by about 45p per dozen, many farmers have only received 5-10p of that rise.