May 8, 2008

Noble Foods to launch free-range egg farmers recruitment drive
 

Noble Foods will launch a recruitment campaign at the British Pig and Poultry Fair in a bid to meet increasing consumer demand for free-range eggs.

The price of free-range eggs has increased steadily in the past 12 months but demand is still on the rise.

This trend puts the company in a strong position and they will require more supplies to meet the expected growth of 10 percent this year, according to Noble Foods CEO Michael Kent.

The free-range sector had grown by 15 percent in the first quarter of 2008, a feat that amazed Finn Cottle, marketing director of Noble Foods.

A recent survey across 1000 consumers revealed that 60 percent buy eggs weekly and a majority of those surveyed buy the same eggs out of habit, said Cottle.

Kent said the company would meet the demand through new and existing suppliers and improving the efficiency of the supply chain. Noble Foods has so far invested GBP 3.5 million (US$6.8 million) in the free-range egg sector and GBP 4.5 million (US$8.8 million) in its packing centre for the past 12 months.

Noble Foods is the UK's leading egg company.