NFU Scotland has called on the UK Government to ensure imported eggs meet production standards equivalent to those required of domestic producers as market conditions begin to tighten.
The union said the long-term outlook for Scottish egg production remained positive, with consumer demand continuing to be strong. However, recent expansion in the laying flock and continued growth in imported volumes were beginning to place downward pressure on prices in some parts of the market.
See also: EggTrack 2026: UK commitments it monitors average 97% cage-free transition
NFU Scotland Poultry Committee chair Matthew Steel said investment decisions needed to reflect changing supply conditions.
“We are beginning to see signs of increased supply across the market, and that is having an impact on prices in some areas,” he said.
The warning comes as the latest Defra figures underline the scale of recent growth in UK egg availability.
Flock size
The average laying flock during the first half of 2026 was almost 2m birds larger than a year earlier, helping total production rise by nearly 5%.
That growth was driven by non-cage systems, where output increased by 10% year-on-year. Colony production, by contrast, fell by 18%, with average weekly output dropping below 3m dozen for the first time in Defra’s published series during the second quarter.
The figures indicate that the continuing move away from colony systems has not resulted in an overall reduction in egg availability. Instead, production has shifted heavily towards free-range, organic and barn systems.
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Market conditions had already begun to weaken during the summer. Poultry Network reported earlier in July that hot weather and the approach of the school holidays had slowed retail demand, while imports of Ukrainian cage eggs were continuing to disrupt the colony market.
Wholesale prices were reduced across both colony and free-range categories, while surplus free-range egg had fewer alternative outlets because the lower-priced imported product was limiting opportunities to sell into the colony market.
Scottish production
“Scottish egg producers work to high standards of animal welfare, environmental management and food safety,” Mr Steel said.
“Producers should not find themselves competing against eggs produced under conditions that would not be legal here. That undermines confidence in the marketplace and puts additional pressure on businesses already facing rising costs.”
The union acknowledged that the effect of the softer market would not be uniform across the sector. Producers supplying retailers through established contracts may be better protected from short-term price movements than businesses with greater exposure to the wholesale or spot market.
Fair competition
NFU Scotland said growth remained important for domestic food security and the rural economy, but needed to be supported by sustainable market demand and fair competition.
It also urged businesses considering new units or further expansion to examine their likely market outlet carefully before committing capital.
“Anyone considering investment in egg production should undertake thorough due diligence and carefully assess market conditions, supply-chain arrangements and long-term business viability,” Mr Steel said.
NFU Scotland said it would continue discussions with government, retailers and the wider supply chain over the treatment of imports and returns to domestic producers.
