Green Henz Organic and Free Range Eggs NZ owner Maurice Hellewell​ said organic egg suppliers have seen an increasing demand for their produce in recent years because customers want genuine, free range organic product from birds able to forage outside. National supermarket chain Countdown has recently reported pressure on supplies of barn and free range eggs. He said his operation supplies niche markets in Dunedin, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wanaka, the Oamaru Farmers Market and several cafes, and the costs of producing organic eggs was substantial. Fairlie's Heslips Hatcheries owner Phillipa Heslip said there was a definite demand for ethically produced poultry and eggs. Heslip, whose business supplies chickens throughout the South Island, said people wanting to know exactly where their food comes from was the chief reason demand for free range eggs had increased.

Source: Stuff April 16, 2019 03:22 UTC