Sainsbury’s has announced a new development group to support its egg farmers and protect supplies for years to come.
An industry first, the Sainsbury’s Egg Group – launching next month – will be in collaboration with the retailer’s three main egg packers and will include over 100 farmers from across the UK who supply it with eggs.
Through this, Sainsbury’s will take a leadership position on pay for egg farmers by making a commitment to always pay the cost of production or above for eggs. This hopes to provide financial reassurance in a volatile market, giving farmers the confidence to invest in future business advancements.
Building on the progress that has been made by Sainsbury’s move to free range eggs, the group will be supported to drive further improvement in animal welfare. One example of this is through the sharing of data and insights between farms, helping to facilitate learnings. The group will also be committed to carbon reduction in the production of eggs.
Gavin Hodgson, Director of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Horticulture at Sainsbury’s, said: “We know how important eggs are for our customers, but we’re also aware of the challenges facing egg farmers, such as increased production costs and sustainability targets.
“We’re proud of our history in innovating and supporting the egg industry and our strong relationships with suppliers is the key to making change. Last year, we moved from one year to five year partnerships with our egg supply base to give them confidence in their businesses. The new Sainsbury’s Egg Group aims to further support farmers, helping shift to more sustainable and resilient production.”
Gillian Potter, an Egg Farmer from North Yorkshire, commented: “Sainsbury’s new aligned producer group gives us the peace of mind that we can expect to receive a fair return for our eggs. It also allows us to consider and plan for future investment.”
