Two of France’s primary organic and free-range egg producers - Cocorette and Œuf Nord Europe - are reportedly poised complete a merger, pending clearance from L'Autorité de la concurrence, lsa-conso.fr reports.
LSA notes that the potential partnership could be beneficial for both parties in that Cocorette produces free-range eggs, and Œuf Nord Europe organic eggs and eggs laid by hens that live in open but restricted conditions (the dimensions of which are controlled by the French ministry for agriculture).
These high-welfare eggs fall under the umbrella term in France of the l'oeuf alternative. The category has grown strongly and steadily over the last number of years, and now makes up almost half of the French egg market.
The director of marketing for rival egg-producer Matines, Laurence Clavier, commented on this trend by saying, “We have seen a sharp rise in the organic, free-range, and caged-but-high-welfare [egg] market. This reflects the fact that customers are increasingly looking for quality in their diet.”
© 2015 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Peter Donnelly. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
