MEDIA RELEASE

Shoppers may face hiked egg prices

Shoppers may face major increases to egg prices as a result of proposed changes to farming practices announced today, says Katherine Rich, Chief Executive of the Food and Grocery Council (FGC).

“Like the New Zealand egg industry we support today's announcements. However, we flag that this move might mean a hike in egg prices for shoppers once the changes are in place.”

“Some of the larger egg producers will no doubt find greater efficiencies as a result of their size, but the reality is the new production systems announced today as part of the proposed code are considerably more expensive.

“In today's prices it's the difference between $2.30 and up to $7.00 for a half dozen of free range organic eggs. Nearly 90% of New Zealanders buy eggs produced in conventional operations because they’re affordable.”

While discussions of commercial farming practices are not within FGC's domain, what we can flag to shoppers is that egg prices are likely to increase significantly over time as a result of today's announcement, Mrs Rich said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media