ALDI has expressed “extreme” disappointment following an IFA protest at its Cavan store.
A spokesperson for the supermarket chain told That’s Farming that it is “hugely frustrated” at these developments.
They said it “undermines the current ongoing discussions with our suppliers”.
“As always, ALDI Ireland is committed to working with and supporting all of our Irish suppliers.
“We paid higher prices to egg suppliers in June of this year, which represented the largest increases we have ever agreed while we are fully engaged in the most recent round of discussions.”
Higher prices
The spokesperson added that the firm is “disappointed” that egg producers have taken this approach at a time when it is “actively” in discussions with its egg suppliers.
“We understand egg producer frustrations and are happy to reassert again, our commitment to engagement with suppliers with whom we purchase our eggs from.”
“We look to support all our suppliers, while continuing to shield our customers from price increases as much as possible during this current inflationary period,” the spokesperson concluded.
Egg shortages
Yesterday evening, we reported that Pig and poultry farmers have taken to the picket line at Aldi and Lidl stores in Cavan town to highlight their anger and mounting concern for the future of the two sectors.
The IFA – which is spearheading the protests – has stressed that retailers that producers are facing further “significant” cost increases in both feed and non-feed costs.
Protesters have expressed anger over a failure to return price increases to farmers.
The farm group has warned that if not addressed immediately, consumers will not find Irish eggs on the shop shelf in “the near future”.
Pig and chicken producers are joining to support the egg sector, but also to highlight their ongoing losses at farm level.
Its poultry vice chairperson, Brendan Soden, said:
“Egg producers face closure because of the failure of discounters to give a fair return to farmers. It is almost 12 months since we began our national campaign to secure a viable income for producers.”
“The supply of eggs is in jeopardy if a further 2c/egg is not ring-fenced directly for egg producers.”
He stated that producers are “strongly” considering not restocking their farms at this stage.
“In 2012, a half dozen free-range eggs sold for €2.19. Today it is €1.89, a reduction of 15%.”
Read more in this news article.
