It’s been a gloomy two weeks for the poultry industry and it’s easy to get depressed about the negative headline. But I was reminded yesterday of the real positive buzz in the egg sector.
I was one of three judges going through the many entries for this year’s British Egg Industry Council’s Egg Awards and as every year, I’m taken back by the high level of innovation in the egg sector.
Several entries caught my eye, including several ready-to-cook egg-based products, such as a ready-to cook omelette which comes in various flavours. Consumers simply open the pack, pour and cook. It's that simple: I believe it will prove popular as consumers spend less time preparing meals.
Then there was an egg line being promoted on environmental grounds by having a low carbon footprint. Egg boxes feature a picture of wind turbine and it states that the eggs are "from hens carefully reared using sustainable energy sources, such as wind and solar power." And with a feed mill close by to negate road miles, the carbon emissions of the poultry units are almost zero.
The pack also states that "1000 hens reared this way saves 60 trees."
I believe climate change and the whole green issue could become a significant marketing advantage. It’s certainly a means of differentiating your eggs from your competitors.
And if you are wondering who the winners are, you will have to wait until the awards dinner at the BEIC/NFU Egg Conference on March 22.
Richard Allison
Editor – Poultry World