Shoppers could face egg shortages in supermarkets amid a “mass exodus” of farmers

Farmers who are turning their backs on the trade could result in the loss of hundreds of millions of homegrown eggs from store shelves in the coming months, buyers have been warned

Shoppers face the prospect of egg shortages this year amid a looming “mass flight” of well-fed farmers.

Industry leaders say rising feed and energy costs are pushing many UK producers to their limits.

Farmers turning their backs on the trade could see hundreds of millions of homegrown eggs disappearing from store shelves in the coming months.

The threat comes as the British Free Range Egg Producers Association claims supermarkets have failed to help members cover the jump in costs by raising prices sufficiently.

She surveyed producers last week and found that 51% of farmers are seriously considering stopping production until the price paid improves.

Another 18% said they will make their decision about future production at the end of their current herd.

More than 70% said they would stop producing eggs within a year if there was no imminent price increase.

Robert Gooch, Managing Director of BFREPA said: “Farmers are faced with clear and obvious increases in costs and retailers are simply not adjusting retail prices enough.

“All price increases are too small and too slow.”

He added, “They’re suffocating businesses.”