“It is all down to Putin” – Salfordians react to widespread egg shortage

The National Farmer’s Union has confirmed a countrywide egg shortage due to increased demand and increased costs throughout the supply chain.

The poultry industry has been struggling with rapidly increased costs of feed which has further been exacerbated with skyrocketing energy costs due to the energy crisis.

The NFU says the price of feed has increased by more than 28% since October 2021 while the cost of a pullet has increased by 22%. This means that some farmers are not receiving enough from supply contracts to cover their own costs.

Supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda and Lidl have taken to rationing portions of eggs per customer to ensure numbers continue.

The bird flu (Avian Influenza) outbreak has placed more strain of the supply chain as some farmers have been forced by government AI control measures to cull flocks of chickens, while some farmers are hesitant to invest in production. This is ill-timed as the winter and Christmas period represents increased demand for eggs and poultry in general.

The NFU has asked the government and retailers to be more transparent about shelf value and supply contracts as well as how the AI outbreak can be contained.

Salfordians have shared their frustrations about the situations. Resident, Mike Palmer, said: “I think it is all down to Putin. They need to sort Putin out don’t they.

“He has made the grain more expensive and he has cut off the grain supply and the grain is what feeds the chicken.

“We should not have been dependent on Russian oil and dependent on buying everything cheap from China.”

Another Salfordian, Cathy Day, said: “It is all a ploy this whole bird flu thing, the easiest way to worry people is through their stomachs. It is a way of distracting from what is really going on.

“It does not worry me at all. At the end of the day, if we are all starving we will eat worms and everything.”

James Mottershead, the National Poultry Board Chair of the National Farmer’s Union spoke about the produce shortages:

“Ongoing, soaring production costs are putting the British poultry sector under immense pressure. Poultry farmers have been facing skyrocketing energy and feed costs for months now, as well as increases in other input costs including fuel, labour and packaging, which are all adding to the overall costs of production on farm. This escalating situation is causing many to consider their future in the industry.”