Lidl has announced it will inject £1 billion into the British egg industry over five years, with free-range egg sales jumping at the retailer.
It said the investment would support British farmers and ensure a consistent supply of high-quality, 100% British eggs.
The investment builds on existing financial incentives, aimed at addressing the shortage of British free-range egg farms.
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Lidl has established a producer group of British free range egg farmers. This follows its free-range egg sales jumping by over a third (34%) in the last year, highlighting the growing consumer preference for higher welfare, locally produced eggs.
Lidl
Members of the producer group have long-term cost of production contracts, guaranteed minimum volumes, assistance in securing finance from banks and additional funding to build new free-range sheds.
The retailer has also rolled out white eggs across all stores, ‘utilising more productive and environmentally friendly birds'.
The white eggs were produced by white-feathered hens which lay eggs for longer and consume less feed, whilst offering customers the same quality and nutritional value as brown eggs.
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Richard Bourns, chief commercial officer at Lidl GB, said: "We are proud to support British farmers – they are critical to our business, and we would not be where we are today without them.
"Together with our producer groups, we have developed long-term cost of production contracts, providing farmers with the confidence and security they need to invest in their business. This commitment ensures a sustainable future for the industry and guarantees high-quality, affordable British eggs for our customers."
Free range eggs
Julia Brewster, a farmer, said they had seen the benefits of joining the producer group.
"Lidl has invested over £5 million into our business and with its support and commitment to buying all our eggs, we have gained the confidence to invest further. We are expanding rapidly, quadrupling our output, and building multiple new sheds – setting us up for the future."
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