Bird Bros, which supplies stores with more than four million eggs each week, has warned wholesalers that it is struggling to meet demand following ‘large scale’ outbreaks of bird flu across the industry, which it described as an ‘ongoing challenge’ in the ‘UK egg market.’

In a message from the major supplier, forwarded on to independent shop owners by a major wholesaler and seen by Better Retailing, Bird Bros stated: “Due to the ongoing challenges of the UK egg market, and the impact that recent, large scale avian influenza cases have had on supply chains, Bird Bros will experience some supply fluctuations in the coming weeks as we balance our demand with the eggs available to us. We will limit the impact as best we can and please be reassured that we’re working tirelessly to ensure longer-term supply issues are avoided.”

The wholesaler forecast availability issues throughout most of April. Bird Bros brands include Roamin’ Free, White Gold, Roost, Golden and Birdies Bloomin. It also produces catering packs and own-label packs for some supermarkets.

Avian influenza threatens food production

The admission follows warnings of ‘unprecedented’ threat levels from avian influenza on food production from the Food and Agriculture Organization – a United Nations agency. Mutations in the virus have allowed it to spread from poultry and wild birds to mammals, including humans and livestock. The UN agency said this could have a ‘serious impact’ on supply chains and food prices.

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When contacted about the availability issues, a spokesperson for Bird Bros told Better Retailing: “Supply impacts are currently being experienced by producers and packers all over the UK, therefore we have informed our customers of the short-term impact this will have on their supplies. We expect this to improve as we move through spring and continue to work as one with the industry to meet the huge demand that we are currently experiencing.”

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