Lidl issues three-item per person rationing notice and other supermarkets could follow

People are really starting to feel the pinch as the cost of living crisis tightens its grip, and if you're looking to bulk buy cheaper items, you might need to think again.

This is because budget supermarket Lidl has just announced a three-item per person notice on one of its most popular items, and other supermarkets are expected to follow suit.

A notice of the measure now circulating online reads: "Customer disclaimer: Let's keep enough for everyone. Eggs are limited to three units per customer to ensure that everyone has the essentials they need."

The limit is the result of supply issues currently gripping the UK food market, and Manchester Evening News reports that it's not known how many Lidl stores will be affected.

Aldi also issued a similar notice when it came to its click and collect option, according to Leicestershire Live, and similar signs have allegedly appeared in branches of Tesco and Sainsbury's.

It's not just supermarkets who are being affected though, and Wetherspoons said that supply issues mean that its breakfast menu will be altered temporarily until they are resolved.

Alamy / PA Images

Shoppers have also taken to social media to comment on the lack of eggs in British supermarkets too, fearing the repercussions over the holiday season.

One tweeted: "Hardly any eggs in Tesco, they said we haven't got any & might run out before Christmas!"

This prompted another Twitter user to reply: "No eggs in Aldi last week either."

"What's the deal with eggs? Did I miss a chicken strike?" questioned a third Twitter user.

A fourth remarked: "Googling why everywhere has run out of eggs and finding that there's a national egg shortage."

Twitter / @Minette_78

The egg shortage is coming from a debate with suppliers over the cost of their produce ahead of the holiday season.

The suppliers have said that the cost of feeding their livestock has gone up, and unfortunately, this is going to have a knock-on effect on consumers.

British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) said: "Feeding hens is now at least 50 percent more expensive than it was, and energy prices have soared in the same way that consumers have seen their domestic bills rise. Spending on fuel has grown by 30 percent, while labour and packaging also costs more.

"Many of our members are losing money on every egg laid, and our data shows that even those who are making a small profit do not see a long-term future. Fewer hens means fewer eggs and we warned in March that eggs could be in short supply by Christmas.

"Egg supply naturally tightens at this time of year as businesses and individuals prepare for Christmas, which may be exacerbating the situation. On top of this, avian influenza has resulted in the culling of laying hens too."

The Department Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said of the ongoing problem: "We understand the difficulties the bird flu outbreak is causing for farmers, however the laying hen population is approximately 38 million so it's unlikely to affect the overall supply."

A Lidl spokesperson directed LADbible to the following industry statement.

Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: "While avian flu has disrupted the supply of some egg ranges, retailers are experts at managing supply chains and are working hard to minimise impact on customers.

"Some stores have introduced temporary limits on the number of boxes customers can buy to ensure availability for everyone."

Sainsbury's tells LADbible that they have not placed any limits on the purchasing of their eggs.

LADbible has reached out to Wetherspoons, Lidl, Aldi, and Tesco for comment.