Sainsbury’s 100% free range commitment: BFREPA reaction
The British Free Range Egg Producers Association has welcomed Sainsbury’s commitment to selling 100 percent UK free-range eggs from April 2020.The retailer sells around 800 million eggs a year – about 2.2 million every day.
The same policy is already in place at M&S, Waitrose and the Co-op.
However, BFREPA CEO Robert Gooch said the Association would be monitoring the impact of the move from Sainsbury’s to ensure the price paid to farmers is not diminished by the absence of a ‘budget’ egg for consumers.
Eggs at a lower price point are often provided by barn or colony production systems, ensuring free range eggs retain a small premium.
Mr Gooch said: “The British free range egg sector continues to go from strength to strength and we welcome this latest commitment from another major retailer.
“Free range eggs have traditionally been priced as a premium product with a budget egg also available on the shelf for consumers to choose. Our members are concerned about free range eggs potentially losing their premium status and we will continue to monitor the impact of this decision.”