Sainsbury’s is launching a support group for egg producers – The Egg Group – in collaboration with the retailer’s three main egg packers and will include over 100 farmers from across the UK who supply it with eggs.
The retailer said it would commit to always paying the cost of production or above for eggs, to give farmers the confidence to invest in future business advancements.
Sainsbury’s said the group would lay “the foundation for better communication and alignment on decisions, driving improvement for both farmers and customers.”
Sainsbury’s said members of the group would be “supported to drive continuous improvement in animal welfare. One example of this is through the sharing of data and insights between farms, helping to facilitate learnings”.
The retailer has worked in a similar way with its Dairy Development Group for over 15 years.
Sainsbury’s also said those signing up to the group would be asked to commit to carbon reduction in their production and an annual carbon footprint assessment.
Gavin Hodgson, Director of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Horticulture at Sainsbury’s, said: “We know how important eggs are for our customers but we’re also aware of the challenges facing egg farmers, such as increased production costs and sustainability targets.
“We’re proud of our history in innovating and supporting the egg industry and our strong relationships with suppliers is the key to making change. Last year we moved from one year to five year partnerships with our egg supply base to give them confidence in their businesses. The new Sainsbury’s Egg Group aims to further support farmers, helping shift to more sustainable and resilient production.”
Gillian Potter, Egg Farmer from North Yorkshire, said: “Sainsburys new aligned producer group gives us the peace of mind that we can expect to receive a fair return for our eggs. It also allows us to consider and plan for future investment.”
In 2009 Sainsbury’s became the first major retailer to stock 100% cage-free eggs and in 2012 became 100% cage free for all eggs used as ingredients in products. Since 2020, all by Sainsbury’s eggs have been free range.