UK organic egg sales slow down amid recession

Latest statistics revealed the extent of damage the credit crunch had on UK organic egg production.

Organic egg production decreased by 300,000 cases during January-September. And many organic producers reverted back to free-range, leading to a 14% increase of free-range egg production to 840,000 cases in the first nine months of 2009.

From its peak of 371,000 cases in the second quarter of 2008, packing station throughput has seen a sharp drop of 34% in the space of just over a year. That still leaves a net gain for free range of over half a million cases.

During the summer, latest figures on overall organic poultry numbers showed a 2% year-on-year decline to the end of 2008.

Organic Farmers and Growers said that the dip was due to cost-conscious shoppers looking to cheaper alternatives to organic eggs and chicken.