Episode summaryIn this episode, Tom Woolman and Tom Willings are joined by Rebecca Tierney, specialised poultry advisor at Teagasc, to discuss the current pressures facing Ireland’s egg sector. Rebecca explains how Irish egg consumption has risen sharply in recent years, moving from around 181 eggs per person to approximately 215–225 eggs per person. Despite strong consumer demand, production has not expanded fast enough to keep up, leading to visible gaps on supermarket shelves. The conversation explores why producers are hesitant to invest, including the high cost of building new free-range units, Ireland’s substantial land requirements, limited farmgate returns, and ongoing risks such as avian influenza. Rebecca also discusses the role of retailers, the need for fairer value to be passed back to farmers, and the importance of better industry data and longer-term confidence. The episode closes by looking at lessons Ireland may be able to learn from the UK egg sector, where severe shortages eventually led to changes in pricing, contracts and supply-chain relationships. Key talking pointsTeagasc and Rebecca’s role Rebecca introduces Teagasc as Ireland’s agriculture and food development authority, covering advisory, education and research across sectors including poultry, dairy, beef, sheep, tillage, horticulture, forestry and pigs. Ireland’s growing appetite for eggs Egg consumption in Ireland has increased significantly over recent years, but production has not expanded at the same pace. This has contributed to empty shelves and pressure on the supply chain. Why producers are not expanding fast enough Rebecca explains that a standard 16,000-bird free-range unit may now cost around €1.5–€1.6 million to build. At the same time, current producer returns are not seen as sufficient to justify that level of investment. Land requirements for free-range systems Ireland’s free-range land requirement is discussed as a major barrier. Rebecca notes that producers require one hectare per 1,000 birds, compared with one acre in the UK, creating a much larger land commitment for Irish farms. Farmgate prices and producer confidence The discussion highlights the gap between Irish producer prices and those available in GB and Northern Ireland. Rebecca says Irish free-range producers are receiving around €1.53 per dozen, inclusive of VAT, while still facing rising feed, fuel, pullet and energy costs. IFA calls for price increases The Irish Farmers’ Association is seeking higher egg prices for producers, including a clearer premium for free-range eggs compared with barn eggs. The episode also references recent poultry farmer protests and retailer engagement. Retail prices versus farmgate returns Rebecca notes that at least one major retailer has increased the shelf price by around 30 cents per dozen, but that this had not yet clearly translated into higher returns for producers at the time of recording. Imports, consumer preference and the brown egg market The conversation examines whether European imports could play a bigger role in Ireland. Rebecca explains that Irish consumers strongly prefer large brown free-range eggs, while imported white eggs have struggled to gain traction. Lessons from the UK egg shortage Tom Willings reflects on the UK experience, where falling flock numbers, avian influenza and poor margins eventually forced pricing and contract changes. He argues that longer-term contracts, greater transparency and better data helped rebuild confidence. The need for better data in Ireland Rebecca closes by highlighting the value of robust industry data, similar to the UK’s use of figures from organisations such as BFREPA and ADAS, to support clearer conversations across the supply chain. Chapter markers00:00 – Introduction to Rebecca Tierney and Teagasc Rebecca explains Teagasc’s role in Irish agriculture and her work across advisory, education and research. 01:05 – Teagasc’s poultry podcast and the video learning curve The hosts discuss Rebecca’s podcast, The Poultry Edge, and the practicalities of podcast production. 02:13 – Setting the scene: Ireland’s egg sector under pressure Tom Woolman introduces the issue of shortages and recent visits to Irish poultry businesses. 02:44 – Rising egg consumption in Ireland Rebecca outlines the sharp increase in egg consumption and the production gap behind current shortages. 03:54 – Empty shelves and producer confidence The discussion turns to supermarket availability and the lack of investment confidence among farmers. 06:27 – Inflation, returns and the cost of a new unit Tom Willings asks about the economics of building a new free-range shed in Ireland. 07:49 – Build costs, land requirements and farmgate prices Rebecca explains the cost of a 16,000-bird unit, Ireland’s larger land requirement, and current producer prices. 09:36 – Investment risk and minimum-wage comparisons The hosts discuss the risk of tying up large sums of capital for relatively limited returns. 11:18 – Succession and the next generation Rebecca reflects on whether young people are being encouraged to enter the poultry sector. 12:53 – Farmer protests and IFA action The episode references recent protests in Monaghan and the IFA’s formal push for higher prices. 15:20 – Imports, Europe and the brown egg preference The group discusses the European market, imports and why Irish consumers remain attached to brown free-range eggs. 17:51 – Retailer response and price movement Rebecca discusses recent shelf-price increases and whether these may support the IFA’s case. 19:53 – What is the solution? The hosts explore how the sector can move beyond short-term price disputes and build long-term confidence. 21:07 – UK lessons: shortages, contracts and transparency Tom Willings explains how the UK egg sector changed after a painful period of shortages and poor margins. 25:00 – Final reflections Rebecca highlights the need for better data, stronger industry conversations and a more positive future for Irish egg producers.
