Tesco finally brings back 12-egg packs for online shoppers after supply issues

05 June 2024 , 13:19

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Tesco had been hit with supply problems for packs of 12 eggs, but the supermarket giant said it was now able to source the larger own-brand packs (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Tesco is finally reintroducing packs of 12 eggs for online customers, bringing an end to a prolonged supply issue.

The UK's biggest supermarket chain had already started restocking its physical stores with the larger own-brand egg packs, but until this week those shopping online had to buy two six-pack boxes. This meant that online shoppers had to pay for two six-pack boxes, each costing £1.50, rather than buying a dozen eggs for £2.60.

The predicament had sparked frustration among customers, with one voicing their concern on Mumsnet: "Call me cynical, but for the last few months, you are hard pushed to buy a pack of 12 eggs online of any size. All you have is 6-egg boxes which cost a lot more if you want 12, etc."

As the company begins to roll out 12-egg packs, Tesco cautioned that availability might be erratic, with Tesco.com searches only reflecting the consumer's local store if they are logged in or the retailer's Pitsea Extra store if they're not. Egg shortages began to hit the industry in autumn 2022 when producers either exited the business or significantly scaled back production due to skyrocketing costs and tightening margins.

Customers experienced a series of price hikes towards the end of 2022 and into 2023, contributing to an overall unit cost increase of 26.4% across the category. Nonetheless, the decrease in egg production persisted, reaching a nine-year low according to the NFU (National Farmers' Union), leading to gaps on supermarket shelves continuing well into summer.

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In a separate move last year, Tesco decided to stop selling its largest bottles of milk, citing concerns over food waste. The supermarket giant expressed worries about the wastage linked with six-pint options, but assured customers that the smaller four-pint size would cost the same per pint as its larger counterpart.

It confirmed that it has no intentions of reintroducing six-pint bottles to its shelves.

Lawrence Matheson