Lidl shelves in Worcester stripped of eggs amid 'shortage'

The shelves were stripped bare in Lidl in Blackpole Road, Worcester this morning (Thursday) with not a single box of eggs available to buy.

Meanwhile, signs have appeared on the shelves of Lidl telling customers they are restricted in the number of purchases that can be made and warning against panic buying during the 'national shortage'.

A shop worker at Lidl said she did not know when the next supply of eggs would arrive but they have been getting in new stock 'every day'.

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However, it appeared to be a very mixed picture locally with some supermarkets including Tesco in Warndon Villages, Sainsbury's in Blackpole and Waitrose in London Road having their shelves fully stocked.

Meanwhile, Worcestershire farmers say they are doing everything they can to keep the lines of supply open as they also tackle high inflation, skyrocketing energy bills and the outbreak of Avian flu which has hit the industry.

Signs in Lidl asked shoppers to consider others when buying eggs and customers were limited to three units of eggs per customer. One sign read: "Let's keep enough for everyone."

SIGN: A sign in Lidl asks customers to 'leave enough for everyone' (Image: Newsquest)

Another sign about deluxe, Woodcote and Simply eggs read: "Due to supply issues there may be limited availability across these items. We are working hard to restock our shelves. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused."

However, the shortage of stock was not in evidence in Waitrose in London Road, Tesco Express in London Road, Tesco Extra in Millwood Drive or Sainsbury's in Blackpole.

However, Sainsbury's, although well stocked, had a sign which read: "We are currently experiencing supply issues across our fresh eggs range, we are working hard to resolve these and apologise for any inconvenience caused."

NFU Poultry Board chair and farmer James Mottershead said: “Amidst these huge inflationary pressures, Worcestershire farmers are continuing to do everything they can to continue to produce quality, affordable eggs and poultry meat.

“We are exploring all avenues to ensure farmers have the confidence they need to continue supplying British eggs to meet demand from shoppers.

“Ongoing soaring production costs are putting the British poultry sector under immense pressure. Some poultry producers have been facing skyrocketing energy and feed costs for months now, as well as increases in other input costs including fuel, labour and packaging which are all adding to the overall costs of production on farms.

“Amidst these huge inflationary pressures, producers are continuing to do everything they can to continue to produce quality, affordable eggs and poultry meat. We are exploring all avenues to ensure farmers have the confidence they need to continue supplying British eggs to meet demand from shoppers.”

SUPPLIES: Eggs at Tesco Extra in Millwood Drive, Warndon Villages, Worcester (Image: Newsquest)

Worcestershire NFU county adviser Emma Hamer said: “In terms of avian influenza (AI) the health and welfare of our birds remains the number one priority for county farmers, and these housing measures alongside the existing additional biosecurity requirements will help minimise the impact of the disease on the poultry sector.

“These measures apply to all poultry keepers, whether you have one hen in the garden or a large poultry business, and I would urge everyone to remain vigilant.

“This is a really challenging time for the British poultry sector but Worcestershire producers are doing all they can to protect their birds and to maintain production of poultry meat and eggs, especially as we approach Christmas.

“The NFU will continue to work with the government and the wider supply chain to minimise the impacts of avian influenza, both now and in the future.”