Avian flu forces some supermarkets to reduce the number of eggs from free-range hens

BarcelonaThe impact of avian flu has quickly reached supermarket shelves. While the price increase of recent months is not strictly due to the spread of this disease, the confinement of free-range poultry on all farms in the country has already had a clear effect on consumers: a reduction in the supply of eggs from free-range farms.

This is the case in some supermarkets with a presence throughout Catalonia, which normally offer eggs from four different farming systems: caged hens, free-range hens, outdoor hens, and organic eggs. The European Union (EU) regulation on this matter, which establishes minimum requirements for the production systems of the different farming methods, states that eggs labeled as "free-range" must come from poultry that, among other things, have continuous access to outdoor spaces during the day. However, it also states that "where temporary restrictions have been imposed under EU legislation, eggs may be marketed as 'free-range' despite the restriction."

However, this flexibility in the regulations hasn't prevented some supermarkets from seeing a reduction in their supply of eggs with this labeling. Mercadona, for example, had a 65% percentage of free-range eggs, and now that proportion has been temporarily reduced for this reason. "We are aware of the prevention measures implemented by the [central] government. For our part, we are adapting to the market and industry circumstances, guaranteeing the supply of eggs at all times," the Valencian-based chain stated in a press release. Meanwhile, sources at the Bon Preu Group, which also has supermarkets throughout Catalonia, explain that they currently have no supply restrictions, which hasn't affected the availability of these types of eggs. According to data from the Catalan Federation of Poultry Farmers (FAC), the ministerial order affects approximately 10% of the sector in Catalonia, specifically the farms that keep their animals in outdoor enclosures.

The reduction in egg availability in some supermarkets, such as Mercadona, can be explained by the fact that free-range egg production has been affected by avian flu, as the hens are suddenly placed in different conditions, which affects their ability to lay eggs. Therefore, despite European labeling regulations, this does not prevent the supply from decreasing, at least temporarily.

Since November 13th, all poultry farms in Spain, including organic farms, those for personal consumption, and those producing meat or eggs for direct sale to consumers, are prohibited from keeping poultry outdoors. The measure came into effect on the 10th in areas considered to be at special risk, initially 1,200 municipalities, but to control the spread of the flu, the Spanish government decided to extend the preventative measures throughout Spain.