Tesco moves to lower stocking rates for fresh chicken

Supermarket giant Tesco is joining Waitrose, M&S and Sainsbury’s in requiring its chicken producers to stock their birds at a 20% lower rate than the industry standard.

The move, which will be fully in place by the middle of next year, will see Tesco suppliers restricted to a maximum 30kg of live birds per square metre of floor space, as opposed to the Red Tractor “norm” of 38kg/sq m.

See also: Daily misting of broiler sheds lifts bird performance

Natalie Smith, head of sustainable agriculture and fisheries at Tesco said: “We know how much our customers care about animal welfare.

“This move reaffirms our commitment to British agriculture and is a significant step-up in welfare standards for the poultry industry in the UK.”

Direction of travel

According to Richard Griffiths, chief executive of the British Poultry Council, the move by Tesco reflects the “direction of travel” the whole industry is taking.

While welcome from a bird welfare point of view, one of the biggest challenges will be to secure enough shed space if the UK broiler sector is to maintain current production levels.

“Prior to the general election being announced, we were talking a lot with government about land use, food security, planning permission,” he said.

“We will now have to pick up those conversations with whoever forms the next government after 4 July.”

Mr Griffiths said the other big concern is the extent to which any price premium for higher welfare birds is captured and passed back to processors and producers.

Tesco says it is “investing in the supply base to help with the transition”, pointing to an additional £12m it is offering broiler growers and suppliers in 2024/25.

But it is also promising that consumers will not have to compromise on value, as it will be maintaining its Aldi price match promise at the checkout.

Better Chicken Commitment

A stocking rate of 30kg/sq m is one of the requirements for retailers and food service outlets who have signed Compassion In World Farming’s Better Chicken Commitment (BCC).

Tesco is already a signatory for its Finest range and organic fresh chicken, which also have to be produced from slower growing birds.

The new Tesco standard will not require slower growth, but is seen by the industry as a manageable step in that direction.

Signatories to BCC are supposed to be meeting all the required standards by 2026.