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UK chicken campaign results in egg shortage
Britain is currently experiencing a free-range egg shortage, which may
last until the end of the year.
The Telegraph has reported that a recent campaign has led to a huge number
of consumers converting to free-range eggs, creating a massive demand and
consequently a shortage in supply. However, retailers have said that it could be
December before there is a large enough supply of free-range chickens to satisfy
the needs of customers.
Since January, when a series of documentaries on chicken welfare was aired
in Britain, sales have increased by 50-100% at different supermarkets, says the
Telegraph. As a result, stocks are running out in some stores, and apparently
company executives from Britain's biggest egg packers have been touring the
country asking farmers to convert.
Chicken buyer for Sainsbury's, David Kettle, said sales of higher welfare
and free-range chicken were up 53% in January, February and March compared to
2007. "It's fair to say we have seen a significant shift since January. If you
look at all the retailers, everyone across the piece has struggled to meet
demand on free range," he said. "We were looking at moving more into that area.
Unfortunately even that has not been enough and we are still not meeting
demand."
Editor WorldPoultry
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