Moray farm hopes to create multi-million pound henhouse after signing contract with Aldi supplier Duncan Farms
A Moray farm is planning to invest over £2.2 million in a new henhouse after securing a six-year contract with a major egg producer.
JC MacIver submitted its plans to build a poultry shed and feed silos at Wester Coltfield Farm in Alves to Moray Council late last month.
If successful, the unit will require two full time staff members to operate, accommodate 32000 hens and will produce 753.6 tonnes of eggs per 411 day production cycle.
The development comes as JC MacIver attempts to diversify the business to egg production in light of “exponential demand” for free-range products over conventional barn eggs.
Planning documents read: “The proposed development itself has resulted from the increased demand for free range eggs withing the north-east and will support an existing business (Duncan Farms) in expanding its supply capabilities.
“In turn the business will create ongoing demand for feed which may create a potential for new or established suppliers to set up in the Moray area.”
Duncan Farms is a family-owned company that is a leading producer and packer of free-range eggs. It supplies major supermarkets like M&S, Lidl and Morrisons with their own brand of eggs.
The Turriff-based firm’s contract with JC MacIver will run for six years and will see eggs supplied for Aldi.
Documents add: “This shift is driving significant expansion within the industry and with a commitment from all major UK supermarkets to phase out barn eggs by the end of 2025, producers are required to expand their production capabilities to take up the shortfall and keep pace with demand.”