European company Cornelius Group is urging food manufacturers not to panic over the continuing increase in egg prices and fall in supplies.
Wholesale prices of eggs in the UK have increased by 5.8% in the last two months of 2016 and by 16% across the rest of the EU, according to commodities analysts at Mintec.
The price rise is due to recent bird flu outbreaks and rising consumer demand.
An expected fall in supplies has prompted an increase in demand as buyers try to secure volumes early, potentially posing major issues for food processors.
“There are alternative products available to food manufacturers who use eggs in their products – for example the bakery sector,” said Gareth Clark, sales manager for Bakery at Cornelius.
“There are egg replacement ingredients on the market which can be used as a substitute and which can be healthier and just as nutritional, whilst having no impact on the taste quality of the final product.”
Cornelius distributes Ceamfibre, a natural fiber ingredient derived from citrus peel as a partial egg and fat replacement ingredient.
Ceamfibre has beneficial effects on food nutritional properties as well as functional properties.
It is an all-natural food ingredient contributing to clean label products.
Moreover, the ingredient comes from a non-allergen, non-genetically modified organism and gluten free source.
In October, UK egg sales increased 9% year on year, accounting for an extra 40 million eggs sold, according to Mintec.
More than 12.5 billion eggs are used in the UK every year, the highest for almost three decades.
The rise in demand is due to celebrities and health experts recommending eggs as part of a healthy diet.
Health-conscious consumers are purchasing more eggs as a protein alternative to red meat.
