Landmark as free range overtakes cage
The value of free range egg sales in Britain has overtaken cage for the first time.
The latest figures from retail analyst TNS show that in the 12 weeks up to 11th September free range and organic sales accounted for 47.1 per cent of the value of the egg market compared to 45.8 for cage. In the four week period leading up to the same date the gap had widened even further with free range and organic accounting for 47.1 and cage 45.8.
As the consumer change to free range progresses the same historic switch in figures will inevitably occur in the 12 month figures shortly. The latest 52 week returns show a 1 per cent differential with free range at 45.9 and cage at 47.6.
The figures are a remarkable landmark in the nation's change of egg eating habits. Just ten years ago all the alternative systems accounted for less than 15 per cent of egg sales. Leading experts in the egg industry predicted that the figure would never exceed 25 per cent. But by volume, free range and organic now represent 35 per cent of sales with cage at 58 per cent.
Cage sales have been hit hardest this year by the decision of leading stores to replace value line cage with barn supplies. Twelve and four week figures show barn sales rocketing by 25 per cent and 31 per cent respectively.
The figures are revealed as Sainsbury's indicated that it could become the next major retailer to switch entirely to free range.
Sue Lockhart, the company's integrity manager told the Grocer magazine: "We're looking at a lot of different options that could see us go one hundred per cent free range. We are still looking at the implications both in terms of cost to the consumer and the effect on the supply base. Animal welfare is very important to us but it is difficult to say how far we can go."
Free range and organic already account for over 60 per cent of the value of Sainsbury's egg sales. Cage comes in at 26 per cent and barn at 13 per cent following the retailer's decision to replace 2 million cage eggs per week with barn supplies. It has also reduced the proportion of cage eggs in its processed foods.
ASDA has seen a 50 per cent drop in the volume of cage sales following its decision to refocus its sales on barn and free range. For its growth of free range sales over two years the company is to be awarded the BFREPA 2005 Good Egg Award.
By 2007 the Co-op aims to be selling 80 per cent free range and then plans to switch to 100 per cent.
Marks and Spencer sells only free range eggs in shell and in all its products and ready meals. It stopped selling cage eggs in 1997, the first retailer to do so.
Tesco has replaced all standard cage eggs with barn and this year began using eggs from alternative systems in its Finest and own label vegetarian ranges. By far the biggest retailer of eggs in Britain, free range now represents a third of its total sales.
Waitrose stopped selling cage eggs in 2001 and this year began using free range in all its own label foods.
